Southampton’s Paul Onuachu has impressed for Trabzonspor since joining them on a loan deal last summer.
The striker has scored nine goals and registered three assists from 16 games this season and his performances have convinced the Turkish club to retain him beyond his loan spell.
That’s according to Fotospor, who state Trabzonspor have decided not to wait until the end of this season and have taken action for the Southampton man.
Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan has ‘started negotiations’ with the Saints over a deal for the 29-year-old. The Championship side, who have received €1.5m in loan fee, have requested €12m for the Nigeria international.
The report states this has given hope to Doğan because he believes Southampton would want to buy a new striker if they get promoted back to the Premier League. If not, the Saints owned player wouldn’t want to return to St Mary’s.
In both cases, the report states Doğan is hopeful Trabzonspor could finalise the deal for around €10m.
The Nation, relayed by Sporx, asked Onuachu whether he wants to return to English club if they were to get promoted to the top flight.
Responding to that, he said: “Who wouldn’t want to play in the Premier League? But if it was going to be the same situation I was in there, I wouldn’t want it.”
“Now I am happy in Trabzonspor, they play according to my strength, they play according to my quality. As a football player you should always choose a club where they will play to your strengths. Of course, you have to work hard to win this.”
Southampton signed the striker last January and he failed to score a goal in 11 Premier League appearances during the second half of the 2022/23 season.
