Director goes public and says Southampton ‘went step too far’ in signing talks – Even asked for selling club’s help

This summer, Southampton was one of the teams said to have shown interest in KRC Genk striker Joseph Paintsil.

The 25-year-old and Paul Onuachu were allegedly involved in a swap deal last month, according to reports from Belgium, but the transaction never

materialized because the Ghanaian international wasn’t interested in joining the Saints.

In a recent interview with Het Belang van Limburg, Dimitri De Condé verified this assertion and said that he had known from the start that a trade

involving Paintsil and the Southampton player was not feasible.

De Condé is also not pleased with the manner in which the Championship side approached to sign the winger.

“I immediately knew that it would be almost impossible to involve Paintsil in an exchange deal with Onuachu,” he said.

But Southampton persisted until they crossed a line that I couldn’t handle. Put Paintsil under pressure by directing him toward Southampton, such

as by denying him a seat on the flight to Adana. I’m sorry, but that’s all I’m there for.

Joseph had said in numerous conversations that he is happy where he is and does not consider Southampton as the next step in his career.

Southampton’s failure to sign Paintsil had an impact on the Jupiler Pro League side’s efforts to sign Onuachu, and this has not pleased De Condé.

The 29-year-old Nigerian, who left Genk for the English club in January, was keen on returning to his former club. The newspaper states Russell

Martin’s side kept on changing their demands to let go of Onuachu.

“I think it’s awful for Paul, who is going through a very difficult time, in particular. But three days prior to the European deadline, it became evident

to us that we needed to change course. Although we had options, the other targets obviously weren’t only talking to us. Others were no longer

permitted to depart,” said De Condé.