Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor have gotten a massive boost in their pursuit of Super Eagles and Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Turkish League Cup winners are facing the prospect of losing their top scorer, Paul Onuachu, after rejecting two bids from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, including one worth €20m.
Onuachu scored 26 goals in 36 games across all competitions for Fatih Tekke’s side, winning the Turkish Super Lig golden boot in the process, but at 32, it might be their last chance to make huge cash from the striker before his physical decline becomes evident.
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Pisa name asking fee for Trabzonspor-linked Durosinmi
With Onuachu seemingly on his way out, having been viewed as a replacement for Ivan Toney by Al Ahli, Trabzonspor are already viewing Durosinmi as a potential replacement.
The 23-year-old striker scored 13 goals in 30 games for Viktoria Plzen in the first half of the season before sealing a €9m to Italian side Pisa during the winter transfer window.
The move didn’t turn out well as he scored just a goal and got a red card as Pisa were relegated to Serie B. As such, a contractual release clause in his deal with the Italian club has been triggered, allowing him to seek a move elsewhere.
Durosinmi is contracted to Pisa until 2030 and has an €18 million release clause. However, as per SestaPorta, the Serie B side are willing to part ways with the Super Eagles striker if an offer of between 8 and 10 million euros comes in.
However, the entire operation banks on Trabzonspor’s sale of Paul Onuachu. Should a departure be sanctioned, it is believed that Rafiu Durosinmi will be the next Nigerian to head over to Papara Park.
Durosinmi, in his time at Plzen, scored 35 goals and provided 10 assists in 86 games, and after losing form in Italy, will be hungry to get back on track in a top-flight club next season.
Paul Onuachu has yet to decide on his future, but Trabzonspor’s president Ertuğrul Doğan has confirmed that there are offers on the table. Coach Fatih Tekke is also understood to be open to the striker’s departure, preferring a more mobile forward capable of leading a high-intensity pressing system.
