'I'm counting on him tomorrow' - Genk coach hopeful of keeping Southampton-linked striker Onuachu

Racing Genk manager Wouter Vrancken has played down speculation linking Nigeria international Paul Onuachu with a deadline day move to the English Premier League. 

The lanky attacker has been identified as a potential transfer target for Southampton, who are in the market for a striker or two.

The Saints have reportedly made a bid for the Super Eagles star but the offer from the Premier League strugglers fell short of the valuation placed on the Nigerian. 

Onuachu desires to play in the Premier League but a deal has yet to materialize despite his impressive goalscoring statistics in the Belgian Pro League.

Vrancken has stressed that Onuachu has acted professionally amid reports linking him with a move to England and the striker was at his best during today's training session ahead of the visit to Eupen. 

Speaking at Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Vrancken told reporters : "You never know what will happen. But I live very fiercely in the here and now.

"Paul showed this morning that he likes being here, but I'm not so naive as to think that nothing can happen today. An exciting day? I don't look too far ahead.

"Paul was very involved in the match preparation for Eupen and I'm counting on him tomorrow. There is nothing wrong with his attitude."

The 28-year-old Onuachu will enter the last one year of his contract with Racing Genk at the end of the 2022-2023 season.

He has scored 85 times in 134 official matches for the Pro League table toppers since his arrival from FC Midtjylland in August 2019.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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