Head coach of English Premier League side Southampton Russell Martin has been forced into making a u-turn on the future of Nigeria international forward Paul Onuachu, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Onuachu who is presently out injured made an instant impression for the Saints in his first start of the season with a solid performance in their 2-3 loss to league leaders Liverpool.
Martin say the 30 year old almost left the club in the summer, but none of the offers matched their valuation hence his decision to keep him at the club.
“At the time, it was a few clubs interested but none of them were anywhere near serious enough for us to consider and I think Paul was just caught in limbo a bit. I think he thought he was going to leave and it hadn’t quite worked out, last summer he was here for probably five or six weeks before he was going”, the coach explained.
“The whole time it was planned he was going to go because he cost a lot of money and he wanted a challenge at the top level if he could but he was brilliant.
“He was respectful and then so in January I’m sure there will be a few people that are interested in him again,” continued Martin.
He went on to deliver bad news to teams hoping to snatch the Nigerian when the transfer window opens in January.
“I’m sure there will also be a few people kicking themselves that they clearly didn’t quite want him enough in the summer. For me, if Paul is happy, we’re really happy and we want him here as he can help us achieve what we want to achieve this season.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
