Several English Premier League clubs eye Raphael Onyedika as a good summer purchase

SEVERAL English Premier League clubs have stepped up their interest in Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika with a view to signing him from his Belgian side Club Brugge during the forthcoming Sumer window.

Onyedika, 22,   is a young, up-and-coming talent, who has been earning his spurs with Club Brugge since joining them in 2022. His market value stands at just €8m, although his contract with Brugge runs until 2027, which does give them an edge in any negotiations with potential buyers.

Everton, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are among the Premier League clubs keeping tabs on the young anchorman who recently came back from the African Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles. With a host of English clubs showing an interest in Onyedika, Club Brugge could make another substantial profit on a player who has proven to be excellent value for money in the blue-and-black stripes.

Club Brugge have sold the likes of Charles de Ketelaere, Lois Openda, Sofyan Amrabat and Arnaut Danjuma in recent transfer windows. Striker Igor Thiago, meanwhile, will join Brentford, another English Premier League side for around £30m during the forthcoming summer transfer window.

Brentford and Leicester City are also said to be among the clubs that admire Onyedika , with the Foxes seeing him as a possible replacement for compatriot Wilfred Ndidi if he is sold. Said to be in the sights of Spanish giants Barcelona, Ndidi also joined Leicester from Belgian football, coming from Genk in 2017.

Onyedika is said to be a hard tackler who averages 2.1 tackles per game in the Jupiler League. A five cap international, he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and loves to wriggle through gaps and take opponents out of the game with well-timed bursts.

Onyedika said: “Personally, I look up to Paul Pogba. A lot of people say we look alike but I just want to be the best version of myself.”

Nottingham Forest need Onyedika to replace Orel Mangala following his January switch to Lyon, while Everton may need to replace Amadou Onana. Onyedika will cost in excess of £13m and it was reported that Galatasaray had a bid rejected in January.