Rumour Mills: Southampton manager confirms Paul Onuachu’s potential departure 

By Wale Mustapha

Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu could still leave the club this summer despite rejoining the team.

Onuachu spent last season on loan at Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor, where he rediscovered his scoring form with 17 goals and four assists in 25 matches.

The 30-year-old joined Southampton from Genk in January 2023 but only made 12 appearances for the Saints.

Southampton hopes to sell Onuachu permanently, with several Turkish clubs, including Trabzonspor, expressing interest. However, no deal has been finalized yet.

Speaking after the club’s 7-1 friendly win over Eastleigh on Friday, Martin said the Super Eagles’ forward will be given the needed support until his future is sorted.

“Paul is back now with us after a bit of an extended break. He had a brilliant season in Turkey, at a club that has a lot of affection for him now. So, we’ll have to wait and see.”

“They all have a chance while they’re back here. As the pre-season pans out, then they assess their situation in terms of what it looks like. Whether they’re going to be playing, if they’re going to be involved or not, then it will be a discussion between us and then we’ll wait and see.”

“But everyone who’s back here, genuinely, you have to have a chance. We haven’t got the biggest squad at the moment either. We have a lot of young guys involved at the moment, so they have a chance to stake their claim,” the manager emphasized.

Onuachu has a contract with Southampton until June 2026, but the Saints are keen to recoup much of the €18 million they spent acquiring him from KRC Genk.