The Limburgers’ boss has already seen one Nigeria international leave the Cegeka Arena this summer and could still lose another before the transfer window shuts
KRC Genk manager Vrancken has shed more light on the current standing of Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu as the transfer window enters its most critical period.
Wouter Vrancken confirmed that Onuachu is back from the injury that kept him on the sidelines during the preseason and the first few weeks of the league season.
But the Belgian coach admits that the big centre-forward has had only one week of full training and may not be 100 per cent ready to start their league clash at Zulte Waregem on Sunday evening.
Genk’s top scorer after gameweek three is Cyriel Dessers with three goals. But the Super Eagles striker has been sold to Cremonese in the Italian Serie A.
Vrancken is aware Onuachu is presently not at his best, but the manager is convinced that the forward has the experience to help Genk after Dessers’ departure.
“In Paul Onuachu we have an experienced top striker, who has been scoring on the assembly line for several years but is not yet 100 percent fit,” Vrancken told HBvL, as per Voetbal Krant.
“That is impossible after one full week of training. For him applies what I said after AEK Athens about Ito and Dessers, who could not bring everything that is expected of a player in their positions purely physically.
“But of course you also have to play to get that rhythm.”
Is Onuachu transfer still on the Genk card?
Injury to Onuachu has kept the striker out of the transfer conversation for several weeks. His return to fitness, however, can spark a renewed race for his signature.
With the transfer season just over two weeks from its end, Vrancken concedes that one of Europe’s top clubs can still come in for Onuachu.
But the 43-year-old tactician insists that Genk would be happy to retain Onuachu in the absence of a satisfactory bid for him.
“Mentally, I see no problem with Paul, who works hard in training,” the former midfielder added.
“Of course, he will still be open to a top transfer. But if the opportunity does not come, he will fully keep going for Genk. It’s not like it keeps him busy all the time.”
Genk have two wins from their opening three league matches this term.
The four-time FDA winners defeated Standard Liège and AS Eupen after losing to champions Club Brugge on matchday one.
