Trabzonspor have reportedly rejected a €20 million offer from Saudi Arabian champions Al Ahli for Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, but the battle for the Nigerian forward’s signature appears far from over.
The towering striker is coming off the finest season of his career in Turkey, finishing as the highest-scoring Nigerian player in Europe after registering 26 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.
His remarkable campaign included 22 Turkish Super Lig goals, enough to secure the league’s Golden Boot, while his brace in the Turkish Cup final against Konyaspor further cemented his status as one of the division’s most decisive players.
Those performances have inevitably attracted interest from abroad, with Al Ahli emerging as one of the strongest admirers of the 32-year-old.
Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu won the 2025/26 Turkish Süper Lig Goal of the Season award after his spectacular bicycle kick for Trabzonspor beat efforts from Marco Asensio and Orkun Kökçü.
The Saudi club, fresh from their AFC Champions League triumph, are exploring attacking reinforcements amid uncertainty surrounding the future of English striker Ivan Toney. Onuachu has reportedly been identified as a leading target due to his proven goalscoring record and physical profile.
According to reports in Turkey, Trabzonspor have rejected Al Ahli’s initial €20 million proposal despite the substantial financial package on offer.
However, the Saudi side are not expected to walk away easily.
Reports suggest Al Ahli remain determined to secure the Nigerian international and could return with an improved offer in the coming days as they attempt to convince Trabzonspor to part with their star striker.
The latest proposal follows an earlier approach worth around €11 million that was also swiftly rejected by the Turkish club.
Club President Ertugrul Dogan has previously acknowledged that several members of the squad have attracted transfer interest this summer, while the club continues to navigate financial pressures.
Paul Onuachu during the 68th edition of the Belgian Golden Shoe award.
A significant sale would provide valuable funds for squad rebuilding and allow Trabzonspor to strengthen multiple areas ahead of a season in which they hope to challenge Galatasaray and other title contenders.
There is also a tactical element to consider. Head coach Fatih Tekke is believed to favour a more mobile attacking profile capable of leading an aggressive pressing system. Such a preference could make Onuachu’s departure easier to accommodate if the club receives an offer deemed impossible to refuse.
Yet replacing the Nigerian’s output may prove easier said than done.
Few strikers in European football delivered as consistently as Onuachu last season.
Beyond his 26 goals, the former Genk forward provided leadership, experience and a focal point around which Trabzonspor built much of their attacking play.
His aerial dominance, hold-up ability and penalty-box instincts make him a unique weapon, while proven goalscorers with similar attributes are increasingly difficult to find in today’s transfer market.
For Trabzonspor supporters, the prospect of losing a player who accounted for such a significant portion of the club’s attacking output is understandably concerning.
The club’s hierarchy must now weigh the immediate financial benefits of a sale against the potential sporting consequences of losing their most reliable source of goals.
Trabzonspor have turned down a €20 million offer from Al Ahli for Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, but growing Saudi interest could test the Turkish club’s resolve in the coming weeks.
From Onuachu’s perspective, the interest presents an intriguing career crossroads.
At 32, the striker is enjoying arguably the most productive spell of his professional career and could command one of the biggest contracts available to him should Al Ahli formalise their pursuit with an improved proposal.
The Saudi Pro League continues to attract high-profile talent and offers financial rewards few European clubs can match.
However, remaining in Turkey would provide Onuachu with the opportunity to continue leading Trabzonspor’s title ambitions while maintaining his momentum ahead of future international commitments with the Super Eagles.
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At the moment Trabzonspor’s stance remains clear. The Turkish club have no intention of letting their Golden Boot winner leave cheaply, and unless Al Ahli significantly increase their offer, Onuachu is expected to remain at the heart of their plans for the upcoming season.
