Spurs & West Ham enter race to sign Genk striker Paul Onuachu

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are interested in signing Genk striker Paul Onuachu, but the Premier League pair face competition from some of Europe’s giants for the £20m-rated forward.

The 27-year-old has been in lightning form since the start of last season, hitting 33 goals over the 2020/21 campaign, and beginning the new term with 11 strikes in as many matches. Those figures have caught the eye of Europe’s elite, including several Premier League outfits.

The Daily Mail report that both Spurs and West Ham have entered the race to land Onuachu, but they must fend off interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and even Southampton for the 6’7″ centre-forward.

Spurs are on the lookout for a new striker as a backup to Harry Kane, although whether the England captain will stay at the club is uncertain. The forward requested a transfer this summer, with Manchester City publicly pursuing the 28-year-old.

A move never materialised for Kane however, leaving him with little choice than to commit his short-term future to Spurs. The north London club would consider Onuachu as a backup to Kane then, or even as his replacement, should he finally force through a move away.

Onuachu is attracted to the idea of playing in the Premier League and would love a switch to England as he prepares to take the next step in his career. Spurs are by no means the front runner, though.

For the moment, Atleti are the favourites to land the Nigerian, and they have stepped up their interest in recent weeks. West Ham are also in the queue and they even considered a deal last summer, but no progress was made.

Onuachu remains on the radar of several top clubs, and will hope to impress on the European stage, when Genk take on West Ham on Thursday evening.