In a bid to resurrect his career, Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu appears poised to depart Southampton, with Turkish giants Trabzonspor emerging as his potential saviors, MySportDab reports.
Onuachu, who arrived at St. Mary’s Stadium from KRC Genk in January for a hefty £18 million fee, has endured a turbulent spell on the South Coast.
The 29-year-old marksman, who previously dazzled in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, struggled to adapt to the rigors of the Premier League during the last campaign.
In his 11 top-flight appearances for Southampton, he failed to find the back of the net as the club suffered the indignity of relegation to the Championship.
This season, Onuachu has yet to make a single appearance in England’s second tier, further highlighting his precarious situation at the club.
However, prior to his ill-fated move to Southampton, Onuachu was in scintillating form, netting an impressive 16 goals in just 19 games during the first half of the 2022/23 season.
His Belgian stint accumulated a remarkable tally of 85 goals in 134 appearances over four years.
Reports indicate that Onuachu is now on the brink of a permanent transfer to Trabzonspor, the reigning champions of the Turkish Super Lig.
A four-year contract is said to be in the offing, pending final negotiations with Southampton.
It’s worth noting that Onuachu was close to joining Ligue 1 outfit Metz on the recent transfer deadline day, but the deal ultimately fell through.
If he does complete his move to Turkey, he will join the ranks of fellow Nigerian players Ahmed Musa and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who are currently plying their trades for Sivasspor and Fenerbahce, respectively.
Meanwhile, Onuachu’s international career remains on hold, as he has not been selected for the Super Eagles’ squad in their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.
The striker’s focus now appears to be on revitalizing his club career and making an impact in Turkish football, as he bids farewell to his Southampton nightmare.
