Beşiktaş launch bold move for Super Eagles star amid Premier League struggles

Beşiktaş have set their sights on Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, aiming to secure his signature during the upcoming transfer window, Soccernet.football reports.

The towering forward, who dazzled fans at Trabzonspor last season with 17 goals and 4 assists, has struggled to replicate his form at Southampton.

New Beşiktaş president Serdar Adalı, fulfilling his election promise to bolster the squad, has officially begun negotiations to bring the 29-year-old back to Turkey, according to Taka Gazete.

Onuachu’s stint in the Premier League has been challenging.

Since joining Southampton in January 2023, he has yet to score in 10 appearances this season.

Despite showing promise in a recent game against West Ham, where he provided a physical presence but failed to capitalize on several chances, Onuachu’s lack of goals remains a concern.

However, new Southampton boss Ivan Juric believes the Nigerian forward can rediscover his scoring touch.

“Onuachu scored goals in Belgium every year, 20 goals. In Turkey, it’s the same thing. It’s not the same thing playing in Turkey and Belgium compared to England,” Juric told the Daily Echo.

“But it’s not one year that he scored 20 goals. I believe that he can do it. What I saw in these training sessions, he has his own characteristics.”

Meanwhile, Beşiktaş are keen to finalize the deal, with reports suggesting they’ve also initiated talks for Adama Traoré to reinforce their attacking options.

However, Onuachu’s contract with Southampton runs until 2026, and the Saints may hesitate to part ways.

This development is likely to disappoint Trabzonspor fans, who had hoped to see their former star return.

For now, the mid-season transfer window promises a tug-of-war between Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor for Onuachu’s services.