Trabzonspor swoop in for Onuachu and Sulemana after Southampton relegation

Following their relegation, English club Southampton are looking to offload players and high salaries before returning to the second tier EFL Championship with Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu and Ghana winger Kamaldeen Sulemana likely to leave the club.

Turkish club Trabzonspor are on the verge of completing the signing of Onuachu with multiple Turkish and Nigerian media outlets reporting that the move is complete. The towering striker has previous success with the club, scoring 15 goals in 21 appearances while on loan from Southampton during the 2023-24 season.

But after failing to qualify for UEFA club competition this season, Trabzonspor also have the ambition of acquiring the services of Ghanaian attacker Sulemana. The entertaining winger has spent three seasons with Southampton now but the final product has not been there throughout his tenure with The Saints.

Both players showed potential with Southampton but failed to meet the high demands and expectations that come with playing in the English Premier League. Considering their high cost to the club (Onuachu: €18 million, Sulemana: €25 million) and the lack of production, the English side have clearly decided to move on after a disastrous Premier League campaign that saw them finish dead last and now is the time for rebuilding and selling off valuable assets.

Confirmation of Onuachu’s transfer appears to be imminent but it will be interesting to see if Trabzonspor can complete a double move to include Sulemana as well. The Turkish club finished in 6th place in the Süper Lig this past season and possess the ability to meet the high financial demands of both players.