Belgium league leaders Genk ensured they didn’t waste anytime in signing a replacement for Paul Onuachu who was transferred to English Premier League side Southampton yesterday.

Onuachu as first reported by OGN joined Southampton in a deal worth €18m plus a bonus of €3m. Genk were powerless to stop the lanky forward from leaving after verbally agreeing that he will be allowed to leave in January.

Not to leave a vacuum in the area where he has carried the team, they moved smartly for another Nigerian in 2017 Nigeria U17 striker Tolu Arokodare, who until his move yesterday was at French second division side Amiens on loan from Latvian side Valmiera FC.

The 22 year old has found the back of the net eight times in 23 Ligue 2 games this season. Coach of Genk Wouter Vrancken is a huge admirer of the forward who has almost the same physique as his fellow Nigeiy, whom he replaces at the club.

“Despite his height, he is very agile, fast in the first meters and strong with his head”, Sporting director Dimitri de Condé explains the choice for the new Genk striker.

“Tolu is already showing flashes of its class today. In addition, there is also a lot of stretch. Under the wings of our technical staff, he will be able to take major steps forward in the coming years. We have proven with several other young talents that KRC Genk is the ideal environment for this.”

TArokodare is also delighted with his new home: “I am very happy to be in Genk. At this point in my career I can’t imagine a better club. Together with the team, I hope to continue the good results of the first half of the season and to win trophies. Paul leaves big shoes to fill. But I am determined to give 100% for this great club.”

Belgium top division side Genk have reached agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Nigeria international forward Paul Onuachu, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.

A fee in the region of €18m is what we understand has been agreed as his transfer fee and he will leave Belgium for England, where he will undergo a routine medical.

The deal is said to be a three year deal with the option of a further year based on several variables. Furthermore, there is no sell on clause inserted in the agreement.

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The proposed transfer of Nigeria international forward Paul Onuachu to English Premier League side Southampton could still happen before the end of the ongoing January transfer window according to the coach of his team Genk.

Head coach of the team Wouter Vrancken speaking on the future of the 28 year old who has 17 goals in 20 league games this season said he isn’t ruling out a move despite having the player trained with the the team this morning.

Vrancken spoke in a press conference on Tuesday morning to preview Genk’s league clash with Eupen tomorrow evening, where he told reporters, via Belgian outlet HLN: “You never know what will happen. But I live very fiercely in the here and now. Paul [Onuachu] showed this morning that he likes being here, but I’m not so naive as to think that nothing can happen today.

“An exciting day? I don’t look too far ahead. Paul was very involved in the match preparation for Eupen and I’m counting on him tomorrow. There is nothing wrong with his attitude.”

“Of course, leaving Onuachu would be a loss,” he added. “The same would be true for Bryan Heynen or Carlos Cuesta. If you look at Paul’s statistics, 16 goals in half a season, you obviously don’t like to lose that. Although I am still counting on him for the time being.”

African football fans have shifted their focus from the Qatar World Cup to the local football scene. The fans are following keenly developments in different nations. Fans in the bettors network are asking themselves who is poised to be the next king of African football. This article looks at what Nigeria could plan to win the next AFCON. Let’s dig in!

Jose Peseiro: The Mastermind

Jose Peseiro is an experienced manager who took over as Nigeria’s manager last May. He is the man who will spearhead Nigeria’s plan to return to the top of African history. Peseiro, who is Jose Mourinho’s close friend, stated that his ambition is to win the AFCON.

The new Super Eagles manager also appreciated the fact that there are other strong national teams, such as Senegal, Morocco, and Cameroon. However, he is convinced that Nigeria has the talent to compete with the best.

The new head coach has already started taking steps towards shaping a squad that will give the other nations a run for their money. Additionally, he claimed that they would improve the facilities and training to help players compete at the highest level.

Change Playing Style

Coach Peseiro wants to implement offensive football that includes high pressure. He believes he has the talent that can play that kind of football. In this regard, his squad has already played friendlies against Algeria, Portugal, and Mexico to check the possibility of implementing the new playing style. The coach claimed that the friendlies enable them to check player development as they play.

Recently, the coach also took a trip to England to watch several games. He also visited some of his stars at their clubs. Some Nigerian stars playing in England that were called up to the national team include Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho and Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis. Others include Frank Onyeka of Brentford, Joe Aribo of Southampton, and Everton’s Alex Iwobi.

The coach claimed his visits to England were part of his long-term strategy to follow player development closely in training and practice. He also speaks with the coaches and fitness coaches at the various clubs to learn more about the players he is interested in.

Focus on English-Based Players

Nigeria has many English-based players playing in the EPL. Bukayo Saka, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham have already been capped by England. However, the coach can call up other English-based players like Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Carney Chukuwuemeka, Noni Madueke, and Folarin Balogun.

This is what has inspired the coach to take the trip to England to monitor these players closely. While it will not be straightforward, he could put together a scary team from this plethora of talent.

Final Thoughts

Finally, Peseiso is Mourinho’s close friend and will want to emulate The Special One’s winning mentality. The next AFCON edition is around the corner, and Nigeria has a big year ahead to secure their qualification. It will be fascinating to watch Nigeria’s progression in the near future.    

With the January transfer window set to close later this evening, players are in a hurry to seal deals in time to beat the deadline. Clubs are also pushing to complete all regulation processes before the deadline.

One Nigerian player who is keen on seeing his move happen before the end of the day is Paul Onuachu. A subject of a bid from English Premier League sides Everton and Southampton.

Both teams are willing to pay a fee in the region of €15-20m for the 28 year old, who has scored 70 goals in the Belgium top flight in his two and half year stay at the club. This season he has 16 goals from 19 games.

His representative is furious that the club backtracked on their promise to let him leave in the January transfer window, if an offer in the region of what the English Premier League duo are offering is lodged. However they appear to be less keen on honoring the verbal agreement.

Onuachu’s dream is to play in the English Premier League and it is why he snubbed an already agreed move to German side Eintracht Frankfurt. Now at the age of 28 he believe this is his best chance of achieving his dream.

Genk are saying the timing of the deal leaves them with no room to sign a replacement before the end of the window and his departure could hurt their chances of lifting the league title. They are presently top of the league in Belgium. Talks are still on in view of a breakthrough before the end of the window.

Daniel Martins