There could still be a route out of Southampton for Russell Martin’s £18 million forgotten man.
But time is running out, and this particular landing spot will shut it’s doors by the close of play on Wednesday night.
There are only a few hours remaining until the transfer window closes over in Turkey. And while Trabzonspor have not yet given up in their summer-long pursuit of Paul Onuachu – the president insists that an offer remains ‘on the table – the two clubs are still a long old way off agreeing a fee presuming there is no chance that they can meet in the middle.
Southampton are staying firm on their valuation of the Nigeria international.
Emboldened by Onuachu’s impressive tally of 17 goals in 25 games during a loan spell at Trabzonspor last season, The Saints are refusing to budge on their £12.5 million asking price.
Southampton refuse to budge on Paul Onuachu fee
Trabzonspor chief Ertugrul Dogan confirmed a week ago that Southampton had turned down an initial offer.
The seven-time Turkish champions are still not ready to accept defeat. But, despite now coming forward with a club-record offer of around £7 million, it seems unlikely that the existing £5.5 million gap can be bridged before the Super Lig window closes in only a few hours’ time.
Dogan, meanwhile, claims that Onuachu was keen on a permanent move to the Black Sea. A move he now looks destined to miss out on.
“Onuachu really wanted to come here but his club insisted on around 15 million euros,” the president tells Sporx. “We went up to 8 million euros with bonuses. Probably a record (transfer fee for us). But it still didn’t happen.
“Trabzonspor cannot pay this much for a 30-year-old player. Our offer is still on the table. We will evaluate it if there is a development.”
A prolific goalscorer in Turkey, Belgium and Denmark, Southampton remains a rather odd blot on Onuachu’s copybook.
A man who once won the Jupiler League’s Golden Boot in a 35-goal season at KRC Genk failed to hit the net even once during 12 Saints outings, though any criticism of the 6ft 7ins targetman should be contextualised by the fact that Ruben Selles – who coached Onuachu throughout much of his time in the first-team picture – seemed reluctant to play to his strengths.
And while Martin spoke out in praise of Onuachu during pre-season, his possession-obsessed Southampton side are also not exactly renowned for slinging crosses in towards the head of a two-metre tall skyscraper of a centre-forward.
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“I just think he’s different to what we have. He’s trained really, really well,” Martin told the Daily Echo in mid-August “He’s a different Paul to the one I came across last season in terms of confidence. I think the last pre-season was so difficult for so many of them.
“They hadn’t had a chance in the Premier League or they’d come in January and not really taken to it that well. This summer he’s a different beast. And, whilst he’s here, we will try and utilise him.”
Onuachu hasn’t even been part of a single matchday squad so far in 2024/25.
Though perhaps that will change once the distraction of a potential return to Turkey is out of the way. Particularly with Southampton only managing one goal in their first three outings since returning from the Premier League.
The Saints are also not overloaded with centre-forwards, star man Adam Armstrong yet to prove he can hold his own in the top-flight. Their pursuit of Corinthians hitman Yuri Alberto also ended in disappointment last month.
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