This week could prove decisive in determining whether Nigeria striker Paul Onuachu remains at Trabzonspor or leaves the Turkish club before the close of the transfer window, Footy-Africa understands.
The 32-year-old has attracted significant interest from Saudi Arabia following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, with Al Ahli among the clubs monitoring his situation.
However, the Saudi Pro League side have so far been unable to reach an agreement with Trabzonspor over a transfer fee.
A source close to the situation told Footy-Africa that Al Ahli remain interested in Onuachu and that Trabzonspor are open to selling, but only if their valuation of the striker is met.
A fresh meeting and an improved proposal from Al Ahli are expected this week, and if the offer reaches Trabzonspor’s valuation, formal negotiations could begin.
Trabzonspor are understood to value one of their most important assets at around €30m, although no interested club has so far met that figure.
Onuachu open to Saudi move
Personal terms are not expected to be a major obstacle if an agreement is reached between the clubs.
Footy-Africa understands that Onuachu is open to the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia, although the striker is not prepared to force Trabzonspor into accepting an offer.
The Nigerian’s current situation is therefore largely dependent on whether Al Ahli can satisfy Trabzonspor’s demands. The Turkish club have a strong reason to hold firm on their valuation after the striker’s remarkable campaign last season.
Onuachu finished the 2025/26 Süper Lig season as joint top scorer with 22 goals in 30 appearances, sharing the Golden Boot with Başakşehir’s Eldor Shomurodov. He also registered two assists.
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His contribution extended beyond the league. Onuachu scored four goals in five Turkish Cup appearances, including both goals in Trabzonspor’s 2-1 victory over Konyaspor in the final as they lifted the trophy. That took his total for the season to 26 goals in all competitions, making 2025/26 the most productive campaign of his career in Turkey.
A proven performer in Trabzon
Onuachu’s importance to Trabzonspor is not a recent development.
He first joined the club on loan from Southampton for the 2023/24 season and immediately made an impact, scoring 15 goals in 21 Süper Lig appearances. He added two more goals in cup competition, finishing that campaign with 17 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions.
Despite returning to Southampton at the end of that season, Trabzonspor remained determined to bring him back permanently.
That eventually happened in July 2025, when the Turkish club agreed a permanent deal with Southampton. Their financial disclosures confirmed a transfer fee of €5.67m and a three-year contract with an option for a fourth season.
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Onuachu then rewarded that investment with the best season of his Trabzonspor career. His 22 league goals in 2025/26 took his Süper Lig tally for the club to 37 goals, while his overall Trabzonspor record across his loan and permanent spells stands at 43 goals in 76 appearances in all competitions, based on the available competition records.
Darwin Núñez could influence the decision
Another factor that could determine Onuachu’s future is Trabzonspor’s pursuit of another striker.
The club have been working on a deal for Uruguay international Darwin Núñez, who is currently with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Reports indicate that negotiations over Núñez have progressed, with the striker’s potential arrival potentially changing Trabzonspor’s calculations regarding Onuachu.
For that reason, the Nigerian’s future could depend partly on whether Trabzonspor succeed in completing the deal for another forward.
If Núñez arrives, the Turkish club would have greater depth in attack and could be more comfortable allowing Onuachu to leave if their valuation is met.
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If the deal fails, however, selling their leading goalscorer could become considerably more difficult.
Fenerbahçe also showed interest
Al Ahli are not the only club to have considered a move for Onuachu.
Fenerbahçe also showed interest in the Nigerian earlier in the window, but their hopes of signing him have since faded after they completed a deal for Romelu Lukaku.
Fenerbahçe were unable to meet Trabzonspor’s valuation of Onuachu, according to reports. That leaves Al Ahli as the main club to watch as the situation develops.
This week could be crucial
The next few days could therefore determine whether Onuachu begins another season in Turkey or takes up a new challenge in Saudi Arabia.
Trabzonspor are willing to listen. Onuachu is open to the move. But the key issue remains the same: the transfer fee. If Al Ahli return with an offer close to Trabzonspor’s €30m valuation, the situation could move quickly.
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If they fall short again, Trabzonspor may decide that keeping their Golden Boot winner is the better option.
For now, Onuachu is not pushing for an exit, and Trabzonspor are not under pressure to sell.
But with the transfer window entering its final weeks, this week could provide the clearest indication yet of where the Nigerian striker will be playing this season.
