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KRC Genk head of football Dimitri de Condé has revealed he made an attempt to sign Southampton’s Paul Onuachu in the summer window.

Speaking to the Genk’s official channel, relayed by Voetbal Primeur, the director said that he had held talks with the striker.

The 30-year-old spent over three years at the Jupiler Pro League side before leaving them for Southampton in January 2023.

Onuachu scored 85 goals and registered 10 assists from 134 games for the Belgian club. His impressive performances for Genk helped him seal a move to Southampton.

The Nigeria international wasn’t able to replicate his Genk form at St Mary’s and was on loan at Trabzonspor last season. The Turkish club repeatedly tried to bring him back in the summer window. They weren’t successful but the Super Lig window doesn’t close until Friday evening so they won’t have given up yet.

As well as Trabzonspor, the Belgian club failed in their efforts to bring their former player back to the club.

Mike Trésor left Genk for Burnley on a loan deal in September 2023. The Clarets made his stay permanent earlier this year.

When De Condé was asked whether he held talks with Trésor and Onuachu, he said: “Not Trésor, I have had contact with Paul several times. Those were good conversations, but I also had them with him last year.

“Where Paul actually said; ‘Genk is home for me and it will remain that way. One day I will come home. But at the moment I want to continue tasting abroad.’ In the end, we were not really able to talk about a transfer.”

Onuachu is yet to make an appearance for Russell Martin’s side this season.