Southampton could finally resolve a transfer nightmare despite the fact the transfer window closed in the UK last Friday.
Russell Martin welcomed 14 first-team signings to Southampton this summer as owners Sport Republic backed their manager upon their return to the Premier League.
This business went right up until Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline, with Aaron Ramsdale, Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet all signed on Deadline Day.
However, the Saints struggled in offloading some of the players that do not appear to have a future at the club prior to the UK deadline so have been trying to take advantage of some transfer windows remaining open later around the world.
That has seen Samuel Edozie join Anderlecht on loan for the season, whilst all parties have been left disappointed as FIFA rejected a late move to Ajax for Kamaldeen Sulemana on Monday.
Armel Bella-Kotchap could still move on after seeing his £12.8 million transfer to Hoffenheim collapse due to an issue picked up in his medical, with the fact Turkey’s transfer window remains open until September 13th making it the most likely destination.
- READ MORE: Southampton boss Russell Martin issues Armel Bella-Kotchap update amid latest transfer twist
Southampton could send Paul Onuachu to Goztepe
Turkey is also where striker Paul Onuachu is expected to move this summer.
The giant centre-forward signed for the Saints on the same day as Sulemana in January 2023 as Sport Republic spent £40 million to try and save Southampton’s season on Deadline Day.
It has not worked out, though, with Southampton suffering relegation after a bottom place finish and neither player having an impact at St Mary’s.
Having not scored a single Southampton goal and not featuring in Martin’s plans, Onuachu spent last season on loan at Trabzonspor where he scored 17 goals.
This has seen the Turkish club pursue the 30-year-old’s permanent signing this summer but as yet they have not made a satisfactory bid.
Now, it looks as though Sport Republic may use Southampton’s sister club Goztepe to provide a resolution to Onuachu’s future, as according to Turkish outlet Aksam the striker is ‘on the verge of signing for Goztepe’.
Aksam claim that Onuachu will be loaned to newly-promoted Goztepe for the season, with an announcement expected by the end of the week.
Southampton face same Onuachu problem next summer with Goztepe loan
Sport Republic own both Southampton and Goztepe, as well as French third tier side Valenciennes.
This multi-group model is intended to benefit each club and Southampton have already sent three players to Goztepe this season to help with their return to the Turkish top flight.
- READ MORE: Rasmus Ankersen explains why Southampton and Goztepe both benefit from Sport Republic ownership
The Saints signed Brazilian striker Juan from São Paulo this summer as well as Japanese midfielder Kuryu Matsuki from FC Tokyo and both players were immediately loaned to Goztepe, whilst goalkeeper Mateusz Lis made a permanent move from Southampton to the Turkish club.
With a buyer not yet found for Onuachu, it looks as thought the Nigerian is set to make the same move.
Whilst that does solve the problem of having the player at St Mary’s this season where he will not be used, it only serves to push the issue to next summer.
The hope for Southampton will be that Onuachu has another fruitful season in Turkey which can then tempt a buyer, with the striker’s contract not expiring until summer 2026.