Paul Onuachu is disappointed to have missed out on a summer move, with Premier League sides Arsenal and West Ham United deciding against a bid for the KRC Genk goal-machine, as he told Het Laaste Nieuws.
The Nigeria international is convinced that, if he maintains his current form, his transfer dream will become a reality at some point in the near future.
After firing Genk to Belgian Cup glory with a career-best 35 goals last term, Onuachu has begun the new campaign in similarly free-scoring style, finding the net 11 times in just 14 matches.
So why did no one take a punt on one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen before the September transfer deadline?
Well, there are a myriad of potential reasons.
According to reports, West Ham felt that his £22 million price-tag was a little on the rich side.
Jupiler League legend Jan Cuelemans, meanwhile, suggested that the struggles of other Jupiler League imports on English soil, Aston Villa duo Wesley Moraes and Mbwana Samatta for instance, did little to enhance Onuachu’s standing in the eyes of potential suitors.
Could Paul Onuachu still be on his way to the Premier League?
“I’m not going to lie about it. I had expected to train at Genk for a few more weeks after the holidays and then leave for a new club,” Onuachu admitted, via Voetbal Krant.
“I was waiting, waiting and waiting. In the end, nothing came.
“I can do nothing more to secure a transfer. The football world is not always fair. In addition, many clubs are currently not having an easy time financially due to the corona pandemic.
“Have new agreements been made in the meantime (that I will be allowed to leave in 2022)? Genk will cooperate if an offer is made that all parties agree with.”
The Athletic reported in July that Watford and Arsenal were casting an eye over Onuachu too.
Given that the 6ft 7ins target man is a Gunners fanatic at heart – naming Kanu and Emmanuel Adebayor as his idols – there are no prizes for guessing which club Onuachu would choose given the opportunity.
“I really like Arsenal,” he said recently.
“Adebayor, one of the players I admired most, played there. I really was a fan of him, as well as Kanu. I really love watching Arsenal too.”
We can only imagine Onuachu’s TV signal has been on the blink during most of the Mikel Arteta era…
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