Turkish Super Lig club Gaziantep FK have entered preliminary negotiations with Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru over a potential return to the country where he once enjoyed some of the finest moments of his club career, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old, currently a free agent following his departure from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Fayha, is reportedly considering a move back to familiar territory in Turkey after an injury-hit stint in the Gulf.
Onyekuru’s two-year spell at Al Fayha began with promise when he joined in 2023 for just over €3 million.
He scored 10 goals and provided three assists in 31 league appearances.
However, his progress was abruptly derailed by a string of injuries, restricting him to just four appearances last season and a total of only 147 minutes of action.
— Henry Onyekuru (@henryconyekuru) June 5, 2025
Despite the setbacks, the former Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor star remains a respected name in Turkish football.
He previously lit up the Süper Lig during three separate loan spells at Galatasaray, winning a league title and becoming the club’s most prolific Nigerian scorer — a title that stood until Victor Osimhen’s recent European exploits.
Henry Onyekuru, 27 yaşında! ❤️pic.twitter.com/NzL9bhusBA
— Eski Açık (@EskiAcikOnline) June 5, 2025
Turkish media reports suggest Gaziantep FK have made initial contact with Onyekuru.
Though discussions are ongoing, no agreement on personal terms or wages has yet been reached. Sources close to the player indicate that the winger is taking his time, assessing all options on the table.
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Onyekuru was recently in talks with İstanbul Başakşehir, but negotiations reportedly broke down due to wage demands not being met.
Similarly, Beşiktaş have shown interest with former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen. However, the offer presented by Beşiktaş also fell short of the player’s financial expectations.
Beyond Turkey, clubs in the United Arab Emirates and at least two other Saudi Arabian teams have expressed concrete interest in signing the pacey forward. With no pressure to rush a decision, Onyekuru is expected to weigh his options carefully before committing to his next destination.
The former Everton player, who never featured for the Premier League side due to work permit issues, is best remembered by Nigerian fans for his role in the Super Eagles squad that won bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Having officially become a free agent on Monday, Onyekuru is now fully in control of his future. A decision regarding his next move is expected in the coming days as Gaziantep FK look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new Süper Lig campaign.
Whether he ends up returning to Turkey or seeks a fresh challenge elsewhere, the next chapter of Onyekuru’s career could prove pivotal in reviving the promise that once made him one of Nigeria’s brightest football prospects.
