Future thrown in doubt: Southampton strip Onuachu of shirt number amid exit links 

Paul Onuachu's future as a Southampton player has been thrown in doubt after he was stripped of his jersey number ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Saints have published their squad numbers for the 2024-2025 campaign, with the Nigeria international assigned a new kit number.

The FC Ebedei product wore the number 12 on the back of his jersey for two consecutive seasons following his move from Racing Genk in Belgium, but has switched to number 32 for the forthcoming campaign. 

Onuachu has been stripped of his number amid speculation linking him with a departure from the St. Mary's Stadium.

The lanky center forward continues to be linked with a transfer to Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor, where he played on loan last season, but Southampton are playing hardball in negotiations, insisting the asking price for the Nigerian has to be met. 

There is also interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Okhdood but the striker's priority is a return to Trabzonspor. 

Southampton number 32 had been vacant following the departure of academy product Kamari Doyle to Brighton & Hove on a permanent deal in the January transfer window. 

Theo Walcott, Alfie Jones, Olufela Olomola, Jason McCarthy, Danny Butterfield, Jack Stephens, Dany N'Guessan, Lucién Mettomo, Chris Baird, Trond Soltvedt, Michael Stensgaard and Ulrich van Gobbel have donned Southampton number 32 in the past.

Southampton's number 12 jersey will now be worn by summer signing from Peterborough United, Ronnie Edwards.

Meanwhile, Onuachu's international teammate Joe Aribo and Sam Edozie will wear 7 and 23 respectively. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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