Trabzonspor keep Paul Onuachu transfer plans under wraps after Super Eagles striker’s 5-star Gaziantep showing

Trabzonspor manager Abdullah Avcı has confirmed that he has held transfer talks with Paul Onuachu, who is on loan from Southampton, Soccernet.ng reports.

Onuachu was Trabzonspor’s best player by a country mile on Sunday after he had a hand in all of his side’s goals in the 4-2 comeback win at home to Gaziantep.

The Super Eagles striker contributed three goals and an assist in 18 second-half minutes to help the Black Sea Storm fight back from a two-nil deficit.

The visitors held a two-goal advantage into the halftime break, but Onuachu scored in the 50th, 66th, and 68th minutes to add to his 65th-minute assist as Trabzonspor clinched their 18th Super Lig victory of the campaign.

Following his first-ever hat-trick for Trabzonspor, Onuachu now boasts an impressive 12 goals and four assists in 18 league games for coach Abdullah Avcı’s men.

The Super Eagles striker is, however, on loan at Papara Park and could return to join his parent club, Southampton, at the end of the season.

Trabzonspor are keen to sign Onuachu permanently, though, as the former KRC Genk star fits perfectly in manager Avcı’s tactical setup.

Onuachu’s transfer fee, believed to be in the region of 10 to 15 million euros, could prove to be a stumbling block for the Turkish giants.

However, after Onuachu’s brilliant performance against Gaziantep, Avcı reveals he is discussing with the Nigerian on the best way forward so that he could be a part of the team next term.

While refusing to comment on the details of their talks, Avcı told Trabzonspor’s official website:

“We are evaluating the planning for next season with both Onuachu and others.

“He probably hasn’t told you that I talked to Onuachu, so I won’t tell you either. Let it stay between us then. We’re trying to create a team with more options. Hopefully, we’ll get results from this.”

Trabzonspor paid a loan fee of €1.50 million to have Onuachu spend the 2023-24 campaign with the club in Turkey.

The 29-year-old striker set Southampton’s bank accounts €18 million when the English club signed him from Genk in January 2023.