Onuachu €30m transfer talks intensify as Al Ahli pursue the prolific Nigeria striker, with Trabzonspor weighing his future

Trabzonspor have set a €30 million asking price for Nigeria striker Paul Onuachu as Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli pursue the 32-year-old forward, with talks expected to continue this week over a potential transfer.

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Onuachu’s future has become one of the more intriguing transfer stories of the Turkish summer after an exceptional campaign in which he scored 26 goals in 36 appearances for Trabzonspor across all competitions.

The striker scored 22 league goals, finishing as the joint Süper Lig top scorer, and added four goals in the Turkish Cup.

His most memorable contribution came in the final against Konyaspor, when his two goals secured a 2-1 victory and helped Trabzonspor lift the cup for the 10th time.

That remarkable season has strengthened Trabzonspor’s negotiating position. The club are understood to have already rejected two offers for the Nigerian, who only made his permanent return to Trabzonspor in 2025 after a successful loan spell during the 2023/24 campaign.

Al Ahli’s interest, however, has not disappeared. The Saudi club are expected to hold further discussions with Trabzonspor as they assess whether they are prepared to meet the €30 million valuation.

Onuachu is reportedly open to the possibility of leaving, although any move will depend heavily on whether the Turkish club’s financial demands are satisfied.

The situation has also been influenced by Trabzonspor’s pursuit of another high-profile forward.

The club are closing in on a move for former Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez from Al Hilal, a deal that could provide Trabzonspor with a potential replacement for Onuachu.

That possibility could make the coming days particularly significant. If Núñez arrives, Trabzonspor would have greater flexibility in deciding whether to accept a substantial offer for their Nigerian forward.

Onuachu’s form gives the club a strong argument for holding firm.

Turkish broadcaster TRT Spor reported that he became only the sixth Trabzonspor player to finish as the club’s Süper Lig top scorer after his 22-goal campaign.

His impact extended beyond the scoring charts. Trabzonspor won 13 of the 18 matches in which he scored during the campaign, while his goals contributed directly to a highly productive season for the club.

The Turkish Cup final offered an especially powerful reminder of his importance.

Onuachu scored in the 18th minute and again from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, earning the official Player of the Match award as Trabzonspor beat Konyaspor 2-1.

The proposed Onuachu €30m transfer would therefore represent a significant decision for both clubs.

For Al Ahli, the fee would reflect the striker’s recent production and experience. For Trabzonspor, it would provide an opportunity to turn an outstanding campaign into a major financial return.

The Saudi interest also comes at a time when several major clubs are reshaping their attacking options.

Al Hilal have been pursuing Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, while Karim Benzema’s reported future at the Saudi club could further alter the market for experienced strikers.

For now, Onuachu remains a Trabzonspor player and is under contract with the Turkish club.

The immediate focus is on whether Al Ahli will meet the asking price and whether Trabzonspor’s pursuit of Núñez changes the balance of the negotiations.

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After rediscovering his best form in Türkiye, Onuachu now faces a potentially defining decision: remain at a club where he has become a leading figure or accept a lucrative new challenge in Saudi Arabia.