Southampton FC striker's exit takes fresh twist after salary claim | OneFootball

Southampton striker Paul Onuachu is no longer interested in making his loan move to Trabzonspor permanent.

That's according to a report from Turkish outlet Sabah, who say that the Nigerian has been put off the move, after receiving his salary later.

Onuachu joined Southampton in January 2023, but was then loaned out to Trabzonspor at the end of that season, after the Saints' relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

The striker has impressed since making his move to Turkey, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists in 23 appearances in all competitions.

However, it now seems as though a permanent move to Trabzonspor is unlikely to happen for the 29-year-old this summer.

Paul Onuachu no longer keen on Trabzonspor move

Speaking recently, Trabzonspor's president, Ertugrul Dogan had revealed that the club were in negotiations with Southampton about another loan move for Onuachu.

That came with the Turkish side being unable to afford the fee that Southampton are demanding for the striker, with the Saints apparently preferring to sell.

It had also been suggested that Onauchu was keen to stay at Trabzonspor, which may have helped the club's pursuit of a new deal for him.

However, this latest update now states that is no longer with the case, with the 29-year-old now apparently reluctant to remain with Trabzonspor, after receiving a payment of his salary late.

It is also thought that the player's agent was late in receiving a payment from the club, seemingly further putting him off a move.

Despite that, Onuachu is still said to be keen to remain in Turkey. Now though, he is thought to be looking towards a move to one of the three big Istanbul clubs - Fenerbahce, Galatsaray or Besiktas.

There are still just over two years remaining on the striker's contract with Southampton, securing his future at St Mary's until the end of the 2025/26 season.

As a result, the Saints are in control when it comes to negotiating deals with any of those clubs, or others, over the future of Onuachu this summer.

A fresh issue for Southampton

You get the feeling this is not the sort of update Southampton will have wanted when it comes to the future of Onuachu.

It seems as though the club are indeed keen to move the striker on for good this summer, which may make sense given how it failed to work out for him at St Mary's.

However, if Onuachu is now reluctant to extend his stay at Trabzonspor, that next move away from the club may become harder to secure.

Of course, it does seem as though the Nigeria international is still keen to explore other options, that may leave the door open for a move.

Even then though, it will require those clubs to want to sign him as well, and then to be able to negotiate a deal over a move with Southampton themselves.

For his part, given the need for the financial security that everyone needs from being paid on time, you can't blame Onuachu for being reluctant to extend his stay with Trabzonspor if they have not paid him on time, given the impact that could have on his trust of the club.

So with all that in mind, this continues to be a saga that feels as though it could rumble on throughout much of the summer transfer window for Southampton.