SAD NEWS: Elland Road Cannot Afford Him With the “Task Ahead”

The immediate goal is to secure Premier League status for St Mary’s in the 2024/25 season, putting all other plans on hold.

Southampton seems to have the advantage, given Leeds United’s history of play-off disappointments.

The Yorkshire club’s track record in play-offs could unsettle even their staunchest supporters, with their most recent defeat in this stage occurring against Derby County five years ago under Marcelo Bielsa.

This season, Southampton has already claimed two victories over Leeds, winning 2-1 at Elland Road and securing a 3-1 victory at home. Despite Leeds finishing higher in the league, the unpredictable nature of the play-offs at Wembley could turn the tables.

As Southampton prepares to face Leeds United in the Championship play-off final, the transfer market takes a backseat. However, it’s worth noting Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan’s comments on their efforts to conclude Paul Onuachu’s unsuccessful stint at Southampton.

Onuachu, an £18 million acquisition from Genk in January 2023, failed to score for the Saints before his loan move to Turkey. In Trabzonspor, he has found his scoring touch again, prompting the club to seek a permanent transfer. Yet, the financial demands may prove challenging, with Trabzonspor unable to meet Southampton’s valuation of nearly 15 million euros for Onuachu.

Trabzonspor is considering extending Onuachu’s loan after being priced out of a permanent transfer, but Southampton’s preference to sell complicates matters.

Dogan has expressed this to Sporx and is awaiting a response to their loan proposal.

Onuachu himself hasn’t closed the door on a return to Southampton, where he feels he has more to achieve in the Premier League.

However, the decision largely depends on manager Russell Martin, and Onuachu’s style as a towering target man may not align with Martin’s tactical philosophy.

With 16 goals in 25 appearances for Trabzonspor, Onuachu’s future is uncertain.

Similarly, Carlos Alcarez’s fate remains in limbo, with Juventus not yet committed to a permanent deal for the Argentine midfielder who joined Southampton during the same transfer window as Onuachu.