Nigerian attacker, Paul Onuachu moved to join Southampton for a fee in the region of £18million during the January transfer window
KAA Gent boss, Hein Vanhaezebrouck, has slammed Paul Onuachu's decision to join Southampton FC from KRC Genk during the January transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.
Vanhaezebrouck, currently Gift Orban's boss, did not hold back as he criticized Onuachu's failed move to Saint Mary's Stadium, describing it as not a good choice.
For a cost of £18 million, the Super Eagles' attack headed to Southampton, who were deep in the English Premier League relegation zone.
The manager expressed his disbelief at the Nigerian striker's decision to join a team that currently sits at the bottom of the Premier League table, noting the potential consequences of relegation to the Championship.
Onuachu, known for his imposing stature and clinical finishing, had been linked with several clubs across Europe after an impressive goal-scoring spree in the Belgian Pro League.
However, his anticipated move to Southampton fell through, leaving Vanhaezebrouck unimpressed by the choice of destination.
Vanhaezebrouck expressed his reservations over Onuachu's decision in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, questioning the logic of joining a failing team.
“That was definitely not a good choice. You don't go to the team that is last in the Premier League? With the risk of ending up in the Championship.” Vanhaezebrouck said.
It's unclear how the Nigerian international will manage his career after the failed transfer, while the sporting world makes speculations about Onuachu's next move.
Meanwhile, a recent report by some local media outlet has revealed that the Nigerian might be on his way back to Belgium to join his former side, Genk, during the Summer transfer window.
Didn’t see that coming at the wrong time when he was scoring plenty of goals at the time halfway through the season and then try himself in England at a team battling against the drop which was too much to climb back in the end. Looks like that no PL club would wanna give him another go and show that he’s such a huge threat upfront thanks to his towering height and the way he strikes via his powerful boot into the net.