Paul Onuachu: Finally, Goodbye to Cegeka Arena?

GLOBAL SOCCER

He has never hidden his desire to ply his trade elsewhere after scoring an unprecedented 55 league goals in the last two seasons for Genk. With a move to English Premier League side, Wolverhampton Wanderers having not come to fruition, Club Brugge may be the next destination for Paul Onuachu as the Blauw-Zwart are shopping for options in their frontline

Belgian Jupiler League giants, Club Brugge are keeping tabs on big Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu as the Blauw-Zwart are considering a move for the 28-year-old Nigerian international as a second option in case they fail to sign Rasmus Hojlund.

The Blauw-Zwart are in search of options in their frontline, and they are planning a €15 million move for Stum Graz hitman Hojlund.

However, transfer specialist, Sacha Tavolieri reports that the Belgian champions could swoop in for Genk’s wantaway talisman, Onuachu if they fail to sign Hojlund.

Onuachu has been one of the best strikers in the Jupiler in the last two seasons, registering 55 league goals in 73 appearances.

The Super Eagles striker has been constantly linked with a move away from Cegeka Arena, and he has never hidden his intention to make a big move.

Atletico Madrid, West Ham, Lyon, and Arsenal have all been linked with the 6 ft7 striker, but nothing concrete has happened.

The striker has been outstanding for Genk in the last two seasons, but he could be on his way to the Blauw-Zwart this summer.

Onuachu has been a standout performer for the Limburgers in the last two seasons.

Two seasons ago, the Nigerian striker recorded 34 league goals and his exploits did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the Best Player in Belgium.

After his achievement, the Super Eagles striker was expected to seal a move away from the club. However, despite links to Lyon, Arsenal, and West Ham, Genk kept him.

Onuachu never hid his desire to leave Genk for another club. But he has been professional about it.

The speculation surrounding the big Nigerian striker has not ended, as he also performed well last season. Onuachu recorded 23 goals in 41 appearances last season.

A move away from Genk was largely expected when the 28-year-old scored 34 league goals penultimate season, but it didn’t happen largely due to Genk’s valuation but they have since dropped their asking price. A source who approached the player with a deal from a Serie A side was told by his management team that he is heading to the English Premier League next summer as an agreement is already in place.

“We had an offer for him to consider. So, he directed us to his new management team. They told us Genk have reached agreement for his sale to a team in the English Premier League.” Several reports in the Belgium media tend to also agree with that stand as it was widely reported that Onuachu who has 20 goals last season will leave the team this summer.

The KRC Genk forward was tipped for a big-money move to a top club in the summer following a highly successful 2020/21 campaign in the Belgian top flight.

A €6 million arrival from Midtjylland in 2019, Onuachu found the back of the net a whopping 20 times this season despite the spate of injuries that denied him of playing time, making him one of the best performing centre forwards across Europe.

Speaking to Genk’s official YouTube page, Onuachu said : “For me you never know what the future holds but I think scoring a lot of goals this season for KRC Genk and of course my career it is going to be one of the most important periods for me.

“It is going to be difficult to say I’m going to repeat it where I am going but I think the players we have in this team really make all this possible for me, but like I said earlier you don’t know what the future holds.

“As it is now I think I’m really happy for the figure I have in the league and of course for KRC Genk.”

The Nigerian international struggled in his first year in Belgium but won the hearts of many after delivering numerous excellent performances.

Onuachu indeed admitted that the Belgian First Division A is a challenging championship, but the determination to push himself beyond the limit helped him become the best in the country.

The 28-year-old only managed nine goals in 22 matches in his maiden campaign two seasons ago after completing his switch from Danish side FC Midtjylland.

But his turnaround in fortunes, 12 months later, has been evident for all to see. Onuachu is clear about how he was able to improve his efficiency in front of goal.

“I struggled a bit when I arrived here. At the start of the season, I said to myself that I had to push myself more and give more.

“I am proud of myself and my team, and I am happy to have the support of my companion, who is always behind me.”

Lazio, Sevilla, and Lyon are among the top European clubs earlier looking to lure Onuachu to one of the continent’s big five leagues. The big striker, however, refuses to hide his affection for English Premier League giants, Arsenal.

“Arsenal is the club of my dreams,” Onuachu continued. “It is the club that I support, that I like to watch, and whose style of play I like.

“However, I am still in Belgium, and I am still a player of Genk.”

The forward has a year left on his current contract but he is unsure of seeing out the deal with a number of European clubs believed to be interested in signing him in the summer.

Onuachu has been with Blue and White since the summer of 2019 when he teamed up with the side from Midtjylland.

The attacker delivered scintillating performances in front of goal during his time with the Danish club to earn a move to Genk.

Onuachu is currently valued at €17 million as per transfer market.