A season of prolific goalscoring has made the Super Eagles striker a wanted man, but his club say a Saudi suitor broke the rules trying to get to him.
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Trabzonspor have filed an official complaint with FIFA against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, accusing them of making improper contact with Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu without the Turkish club’s consent.
According to a report from Puskas Sports, Trabzonspor allege that Al-Ahli approached Onuachu directly to discuss personal terms despite the striker still having two years remaining on his contract. Under FIFA regulations, a club may only negotiate with a player who is under contract elsewhere during the final six months of that deal, and Trabzonspor say Al-Ahli breached that rule.
A Career-Best Season Behind The Interest
The interest is easy to understand given how influential Onuachu was for Trabzonspor last season. He scored 17 goals and provided four assists in 25 appearances across all competitions, form that kept him in contention for the Turkish Super Lig’s top scorer award until a quieter run late in the campaign. Without his goals, the Black Sea Storm likely would not have finished in the top three or lifted the Turkish Cup.
That kind of output has understandably drawn interest from clubs across Europe and beyond, but it is Al-Ahli’s reported approach that has caused friction, with the Saudi club said to be willing to roughly quadruple his current salary to get a deal done.
Trabzonspor Open To A Sale, But On Their Terms
Despite the complaint, Trabzonspor are not against selling Onuachu altogether. The club is reportedly willing to let him leave for a fee in the region of €10 million to €15 million, but insists the move must follow proper process, including a formal transfer request from the player himself, something Onuachu has not yet made.
Should FIFA rule against Al-Ahli, the Saudi club would likely face a fine over the handling of their approach. For now, Onuachu’s next club destination remains unresolved as the dispute plays out between the two sides.
📌 Did You Know?
- Onuachu’s 17 goals last season played a direct role in Trabzonspor winning the Turkish Cup.
- FIFA regulations restrict clubs from negotiating with contracted players outside the final six months of their existing deal.
- A move to Al-Ahli would reportedly represent the biggest salary of Onuachu’s career if completed.
- Onuachu previously played for Genk in Belgium before his move to Southampton and later Trabzonspor.
- Trabzonspor’s asking price of €10-15 million reflects the club’s valuation of Onuachu despite his advancing career stage.
- FIFA disputes over improper club contact are relatively rare but can result in fines or transfer bans for the offending club.
