Paul Onuachu is not disappointed that he eventually did not make the big transfer he was widely expected to do after his record number of goals last season.
Genk sporting director Dimitri De Conde said Onuachu and the other players who did not move in the summer are happy to stay and play for the Belgian club.
“Their wish to leave was only a personal ambition and never had anything to do with Genk itself. They are still very satisfied with the club and happy to play here,” De Conde said.
The top official admitted he was also surprised Onuachu did not move as widely expected.
“It was also very surprising for me. If you had asked me if everyone would stay on board, I would have said no,” he said.
However, De Conde said Genk are happy they can now give the league and UEFA Europa League a better shot with the Nigeria striker still on board.
“We are very satisfied as a club,” said the sporting director.
“That (the big transfers) did not come through, but we are not sorry about that. That can only reinforce our sporting ambitions,
“We are going into the Europa League with a lot of ambition. Making it to the quarterfinals (in 2017, ed.) remains one of my best memories.
“You also feel it in this group and given the qualities we have, that the ambition is there to surprise in the Europa League. We’re not just going to participate, we want to surprise. And that creates a positive vibe in the dressing room.”
