Liverpool are reportedly set to rival Spanish giants Sevilla for the signature of Genk striker Paul Onuachu in the summer transfer window.
According to Fichajes, Premier League heavy hitters Liverpool look set to battle La Liga side Sevilla for the signature of Nigerian international Paul Onuachu in the 2022 summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old came through the ranks at Ebedei in his homeland before moving to Europe with FC Midtjylland in 2012. Onuachu made his senior bow for the Danish side that same year, going on to win 181 caps in the next seven years, netting 74 goals and assisting 23 more in the process.
This saw him earn a move to Genk in 2019, where the Nigerian ace has managed to further hone his abilities, and he has scored 21 goals across all competitions this term. As a result, several clubs such as Liverpool, Red Bull Salzburg and Sevilla have been keeping a keen eye on his development.
Jurgen Klopp has a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal at this moment in time. The veteran trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have been supplemented by the additions of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz in recent windows, making Liverpool a formidable force.
This has given Liverpool enough strength in depth to challenge across multiple competitions. However, the Reds’ veteran trio is not getting any younger and will need to be replaced sooner or later. Onuachu, a centre-forward, will give the Merseysiders a solid option to lead the line should he arrive at Anfield.
Liverpool have made it a habit of signing rather obscure names who develop into top-class players at Anfield. More so, they have also brought in several of Africa’s top stars in Salah, Mane and Naby Keita. Signing Onuachu will also help them make inroads into the Nigerian market while also handing them a reliable goalscorer to further strengthen the attacking roster.
However, Liverpool will face competition from Sevilla, who could be set to lose either Luuk de Jong or Youssef En-Nesyri in the summer. Losing either player will leave the Rojiblancos skint upfront, making it a necessity rather than a luxury in the summer. Whether they can beat off competition from Liverpool and land their man remains to be seen.
Onuachu is unlike the other forwards on Liverpool’s roster. The Reds thrive on using a frontline that is interchangeable and can cause chaos with their constant movement. The 27-year-old Nigerian striker is more of a centre-forward and is unlikely to swap positions with Klopp’s inside forwards.
While it limits his chances of becoming a first-team regular at Anfield, it offers Jurgen Klopp something similar. Liverpool could do with a Plan B, and Onuachu could be just the man to provide that.
