Southampton transfer news: Saints attacker 'pressuring for move away' in January

Southampton striker Paul Onuachu has reportedly decided that he wants to leave the club in January.

The 30-year-old has failed to make a serious impact for the Saints in the Premier League to date, featuring in six matches and starting just once.

Onuachu was absent from the Southampton side that travelled to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, when a first-half strike from Jhon Duran secured three points for the Villans.

The Nigerian striker spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Trabzonspor while Russell Martin's troops battled away in the English Championship.

Onuachu enjoyed a success-laden spell at the Turkish Super Lig club, making the net ripple on 17 occasions across 25 competitive appearances.

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Southampton forward Onuachu pushing for January move?

According to Turkish outlet Gunebakis, Southampton could be waving goodbye to a first-team striker during the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that Onuachu is not happy at St Mary's and would like to depart the South-coast club permanently over the New Year.

It is understood that the 30-year-old has remained in contact with Trabzonspor, who are willing to enter the market for the signing of the striker.

The Super Lig club are allegedly looking to pay no more than €5m (£4.1m) for the services of Onuachu, who has played just 111 minutes of Premier League football in 2024-25.

As well as Trabzonspor, Belgian powerhouses and Champions League-competing Club Brugge have also been credited with an interest in the past.

Southampton's attacking struggles

Finding the net just 11 times during their first 15 matches back on the Premier League scene, Southampton are facing serious struggles in front of goal.

The Saints are simply not breaching their opponents enough to give themselves a fighting chance of avoiding a bottom-three finish.

Martin's men are currently occupying bottom spot in the Premier League standings, already eight points behind Crystal Palace in the relative safety of 17th.