Paul Onuachu: Which clubs should be looking at Nigeria hitman?

After considerably failing to hit the heights in his debut season at Genk, Onuachu thrived in 2020/21, netting a staggering 33 league goals for the club.

This inevitably saw the towering frontman named Footballer of the Year in the just-concluded Belgian top flight campaign.

Aside from that nine-goal maiden campaign in 19/20, the 27-year-old has built a reputation for his goalscoring feats — having netted double figures in four of his last five seasons in Denmark and Belgium — and most sides will be beneficiaries of his ability in front of goal.

Onuachu is, by and large, an amalgamation of a target man and poacher and we’ll attempt to suggest possible destinations given his profile.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin thrived last term for the Toffees, scoring 16 times over the course of the campaign to end sixth-highest scorer in the Premier League.

He thrived on crosses from the flanks, netted seven league goals with his head, and won 53 percent aerial duels.

Onuachu’s 11 headed goals and 55 percent success rate in aerial tussles point to a similarity in their styles, although it remains to be seen if the West African would fancy a move to Merseyside.

The Englishman isn’t only the Toffees’ principal frontman, but the managerial change may lead to a change in approach from the blue half of the city.

The profile of the two leading strikers at the club probably make the Andalusians the most fitting destination for Onuachu.

Youssef En-Nesyri and Luuk de Jong largely rotated throughout the season, although the Morocco frontman was the more prolific frontman, scoring 18 La Liga goals to the Dutchman’s four.

Julen Lopetegui side’s inclination to cross into the box — they were third for crosses per 90 domestically and ranked highest in the Champions League — means Onuachu will be a fitting addition to the side.

While one of the current strikers at the club may have to leave, there’s little doubt over Onuachu being a fitting profile for Sevilla.

Even though Edin Dzeko’s numbers declined significantly last season, a combination of injuries and a mid-season row with Paulo Fonseca contributed to the former Manchester City forward starting just 20 times in Serie A.

At 35, the forward is approaching a period where he can’t be relied upon week in week out to deliver the goods any longer.

While Onuachu may not possess the Bosnia & Herzegovina striker’s playmaking qualities, he certainly positions himself intelligently in the box and equally thrives in aerial tussles.

Jose Mourinho has always utilised out-and-out centre-forwards in his teams too, and it won’t be surprising to see Roma make a move for Onuachu this summer.

Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst has been consistently prolific in the last five years with AZ Alkmaar and in the last three years in Germany.

He netted a career-high 20 goals in 2020/21 and has been praised for his poaching instincts and playmaking.

Weghorst tends to be utilised as a target man and it’s no surprise he records high success rates in aerial battles.

Onuachu may have his work cut out for him supplanting Wolfsburg’s top striker, but their similar characteristics mean a move to the Bundesliga outfit may not be out of place.

As target men go, Steve Mounie probably epitomises the role more than most.

The Benin striker wins an incredibly high volume of aerial duels and unsurprisingly led the way in Ligue 1 last term.

While Onuachu may not fancy a move to a team that finished last season in 16th place, narrowly avoiding the relegation playoffs, he’s a superior goal scorer to the Brest frontman and will back himself to take the 26-year-old’s place if a move ever materialised.