Paul Onuachu’s transfer drama appears to have taken another dramatic twist, as Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas have reportedly ended their pursuit of the Nigerian striker due to frustrations over Southampton’s perceived lack of urgency and transparency in negotiations.
Turkish outlet Aspor, as cited by UK-based Saints Marching, revealed that Besiktas had previously identified Onuachu as a key signing ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. The former Genk frontman impressed in the Turkish top flight during a productive loan spell at Trabzonspor, where he netted 15 goals and registered four assists in just 19 starts—form that sparked strong interest from several Turkish clubs.
While 1. Lig side Göztepe have also been monitoring the 24-cap Super Eagles forward as part of their growing ambitions for European football, Besiktas was initially seen as the frontrunner to secure his services. However, the Istanbul-based club is now said to be walking away from the deal, disappointed with what sources describe as Southampton’s slow and indecisive handling of transfer talks.
Despite the apparent mutual benefit of a permanent departure for Onuachu, Southampton has yet to provide clarity on whether they intend to retain or sell the 29-year-old. This prolonged indecision, according to Saints Marching, has forced Besiktas to reconsider their options, with reports indicating that Ipswich Town’s in-form striker, Liam Delap, has now climbed to the top of their shortlist.
Delap, just 21 years old and currently enjoying an impressive run of form, is being touted as a more appealing long-term investment. His youth, dynamism and Premier League potential have reportedly made him a more viable option for Besiktas than waiting indefinitely on a deal for Onuachu.
“Besiktas have now shifted their attention away from Paul Onuachu,” the British outlet reported. “They are increasingly prioritising a move for Ipswich’s rising star Liam Delap, whose current form and potential make him a more attractive acquisition.”
This isn’t the first time Southampton has faced criticism for transfer-related indecision. The club’s protracted failure to secure a timely contract extension for right-back Kyle Walker-Peters serves as a recent reminder of how delays can diminish squad value and lead to avoidable exits. Saints Marching highlighted this trend, noting that Southampton’s management appears to be repeating a familiar pattern with Onuachu.
“There’s a growing concern that Southampton could make the same mistake they made with Walker-Peters,” the outlet wrote. “If they don’t act now—either to sell Onuachu or renew his contract—the club risks losing him for free when his deal expires, despite his improving form.”
Onuachu, who struggled for consistent minutes at Southampton before finding his rhythm in Turkey, remains a player with market value. Should the club continue to stall, they risk not only losing a potential transfer windfall but also disrupting their long-term planning as they prepare for a fresh push at promotion.
For a Southampton side aiming to rebuild and return to the Premier League, missteps in managing key assets like Onuachu could prove costly—both on and off the pitch.
