Paul Onuachu has bid an emotional farewell to KRC Genk ahead of his £18.5 million move to Premier League strugglers Southampton on transfer deadline day, via Het Nieuwsblad.
Nathan Jones was desperate for a clinical centre-forward to fire the Saints away from the fire and brimstone of relegation and into the fluffy clouds of survival. And how’s this for an eleventh-hour addition.
Onuachu, one of the most underrated and prolific number nines in European football, is on his way to St Mary’s.
In his last 102 games for Genk, Onuachu has scored a remarkable 75 goals. 17 of those have come this season alone. Whether the Nigeria international can make the step up to the English Premier League remains to be seen – Belgian imports have quite a mixed track record on UK soil (just ask Aston Villa supporters) – but Onuachu is certainly an upgrade on the promising-but-developing Sekou Mara, the frustrating Adam Armstrong and the inconsistent Che Adams.
“This is an emotional moment,” Onuachu smiles. “But I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. As a child I already dreamed of playing in the Premier League someday.”
Southampton will sign Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana on deadline day
Standing at 6ft 7ins, the former Midtjylland targetman will immediately become one of the tallest players in England’s top flight. Thereby, offering Southampton a completely different sort of presence in the final third.
Belgium’s Player of the Year for 2021, Onuachu came close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer. Wolves opted for fellow beanpole Sasa Kalajdzic at the time. But at least a disappointed Onuachu didn’t have to wait too long for another opportunity to present itself.
“Wolves (showed an interest), but it didn’t materialise,” Onuachu explains. They went for another. He (Kalajdzic) apparently injured himself badly in his first match.
“The English transfer market had closed by then. So, they could only get free-agents and ended up with Diego Costa. That’s football.”
Southampton are also closing in on Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. The Saints fought off competition from Everton while agreeing a £22 million deal.
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