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By Ebenezer Bajela.
Some fans have expressed disappointment after Nigeria international, Paul Onuachu, left Belgian club, Genk, to join struggling English Premier League side, Southampton, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Onuachu penned a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Saints on the transfer deadline day after Southampton and Genk agreed on a £15.8m deal plus add-ons for the lanky striker, who was also linked with another Premier League club, Everton.
The 28-year-old has been in top form for Genk since joining them from FC Midtjylland in 2019 scoring 16 goals in 19 appearances in the Belgium Jupiler league this season to stand as the leading scorer.
Onuachu will link up with compatriot Joe Aribo, who also joined the club last summer from Glasgow Rangers but his imminent partnership with the former Rangers midfielder had not gone down well with some fans in Nigeria, who questioned his decision to join a club that was battling to survive relegation.
Emmanuel Adedeji said, “Some of our players never cease to amaze me with their moves and the desire to play in the EPL. Why would Onuachu leave Genk that stand a chance of playing in the Europa League for a club battling relegation? Not the best move I must say.”
Rita Akin added, “I think he should have gone to Germany or Italy with clubs who stand a chance of finishing in the top four or mid-table to say the least.
“Going to a club that already looks like they are relegated is not a wise decision.”
“I think our players can do better when it comes to making decisions with their transfers,” Hunga Paul said.
“A lot of them are either fighting to survive relegation or playing in the lower divisions. This is not good for our national team at all and it saddens me to see things like this.”
King Shaku cheekily added, “It is a good move for him if the team did not end up in the relegation zone this season.”
Chidi Peter also frowned on the decision saying, “That is a step down for me apart from the money accepted on it. Signing for a relegation team ain’t good.”
Jimmy, who also questioned the decision to sign for the Saints, wrote on Twitter, “I just don’t understand this move. From a table-topping team to a relegation-battling team. Makes no sense at all.”
Onuachu has netted 70 goals across the last three JPL campaigns. That’s at least 25 more than any other player during this period.