Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru has rejected offers from Turkish clubs İstanbul Başakşehir and Kocaelispor following a breakdown in wage negotiations, Footy-Africa has exclusively learned.
The 28-year-old forward had been in contact with İstanbul Başakşehir in recent weeks, but talks collapsed after the club failed to meet his wage demands of €2 million per year—offering only half of that figure. Later on Friday, Kocaelispor also made an approach, which the player immediately declined, according to sources close to his agency, Foot & Ball.
Onyekuru is set to become a free agent on June 30 when his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha expires, with no renewal expected. Meanwhile, he remains in discussions with Turkish giants Besiktas, while unnamed clubs from Saudi Arabia are also reportedly interested.
“He (Onyekuru) has turned down İstanbul Başakşehir despite days of negotiations, with the club only offering half of his €2 million wage demands. Kocaelispor is also out at this point, as they didn’t raise the figures he wants. He is still in contact with Besiktas and has offers in Saudi Arabia too. He wanted to prioritize a move to Turkey, but only with the right financial terms,” a source exclusively told Footy-Africa.
Onyekuru joined Al-Fayha in 2023 from Adana Demirspor, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in 38 appearances. However, his final season in Saudi Arabia was hampered by limited playing time, featuring just four times. During his stint at Adana Demirspor, he scored eight goals and contributed two assists across 30 matches.
The versatile winger—currently valued at €3 million by Transfermarkt—has had a well-traveled career, with previous spells at Olympiacos (Greece), Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor (Turkey), AS Monaco (France), Everton (England), and Belgian sides Anderlecht and KAS Eupen.
Internationally, Onyekuru has earned 15 senior caps for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, scoring once and registering two assists.
