Southampton have been offered a solution to one of their biggest recent transfer errors, but it would be an unconventional deal.
Southampton have work to do to get their squad Premier League ready having won the Championship play-offs.
Whilst manager Russell Martin will be keen to add to his ranks he will know that the club need to get a number of players off the books in order to free up squad space.
The likes of Armel Bella-Kotchap, Lyanco, Romain Perraud and Carlos Alcaraz are all set to return to the south coast club following spells out on loan and it is conceivable that none of them will play for the Saints again.
Now, latest reports from Turkey suggest the Saints could be handed a lifeline for another of their players out on loan with an unusual offer being prepared for Paul Onuachu.
Paul Onuachu signing a costly error for Southampton
Despite him going against all of Southampton’s recruitment policies – being 29 and 6ft 8in – the club allowed desperation to get the better of them as they spent £18.6 million to sign striker Onuachu in January 2023.
The purchase was one of two deadline day signings that highlighted the clubs last gasp attempts to stay in the Premier League, with the Saints also breaking their club record to sign Kamaldeen Sulemana for £22 million.
Neither signing has worked out, with Onuachu failing to score a single goal and spending this season on loan at Trabzonspor and Sulemana struggling to make an impact in the Championship.
Southampton made strange offer for Onuachu
Southampton could now be set for a reprieve – with Onuachu at least – as Trabzonspor are lining up a move for his services again next season after his 17 goals showed he can be effective if utilised properly.
According to Sabah Spor, negotiations are taking place between Trabzonspor and Southampton regarding the Nigerian’s future, with Onuachu having informed the Turkish club he wishes to return.
Fellow Turkish side Besiktas are also interested in a move, but it is Trabzonspor who have made Southampton a proposal.
It is an unusual one, though, as the report claims Trabzonspor have offered to either give Southampton a £2.1 million loan fee with an obligation to buy or pay the loan fee and send a player of their own to the Saints’ newly-promoted sister club Goztepe.
Whilst Southampton owners Sport Republic hold a 70% stake in Goztepe, it may not go down too well with the English club’s supporters if it is their sister club that benefit from any Onuachu exit rather than themselves.
Whilst it is not going to be anything similar to the £18.6 million Southampton paid for Onuachu, perhaps it is the best solution to end the transfer nightmare.