Belgian giants Genk have confirmed that they were willing to sign Paul Onuachu in a club-record fee but that all fell apart when Joseph Paintsil refused to join Southampton in exchange.
For Genk director Dimitri de Conde, the disappointment at missing out on Paul Onuachu is at least offset by the relief at keeping hold of last season’s star man.
Onuachu, prolific during his time at the Belgian giants, was keen on a return to his old stomping ground. Genk were also happy to part with a fee in excess of £6 million. A sum which would have made Southampton’s towering targetman their new record signing.
But with the Saints demanding that Joseph Paintsil move in the other direction, the negotiations soon collapsed; Onuachu joining former Arsenal misfit Nicolas Pepe at Trabzonspor instead.
Paul Onuachu now leaves Southampton for Turkey
“Onuachu was a very intensive file. You should know that Paul absolutely wanted to return,” De Conde tells Tech Talk.
“We were prepared as a club to make Onuachu the biggest incoming transfer for Genk ever, on a financial level. That had all been worked out. But, for Southampton, that would have to be done with an exchange with Joseph Paintsil.
“(Paintsil) wanted to stay, at the end of the day.”
Southampton are not the only club who’s pursuit of Paintsil hit a brick wall. Leeds United appeared to be closing in on an £8.5 million deal for the free-scoring Ghana winger, discussions reaching an impasse with Daniel Farke’s side feeling that Genk had ‘moved the goalposts’ at the eleventh hour (Sky Sports).
Leeds talks fell through
“I have spoken to Joseph about this two or three times. I have also informed everyone; ‘please note, Joseph really wants to be at Genk. He really wants to continue with us’,” De Conde adds.
“Southampton could not convince him. I am very happy that Joseph is staying with us. But that was at the expense of (signing) Onuachu, and we had to switch gears.”
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