Raphael Onyedika, the talented Nigerian defensive midfielder currently starring for Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League, is reportedly attracting strong interest from Premier League side West Ham United. The 24-year-old, who has been a key figure for Club Brugge since his arrival in 2022 from FC Midtjylland, has also been linked with a move to AC Milan during the recent winter transfer window, highlighting his rising profile in European football.
Onyedika has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024/2025, featuring prominently for Club Brugge in both domestic and continental competitions. He has made around 25 league appearances, scoring once and contributing a total of two goal involvements. Defensively, Raphael Onyedika has been impressive, helping his team keep eight clean sheets and conceding just one goal every 130 minutes on the pitch. His tackling and interception stats underline his effectiveness as a defensive midfielder, averaging nearly two tackles and 0.7 interceptions per 90 minutes. Despite his defensive focus, he also contributes offensively with a non-penalty expected goals (xG) of 1.44 for the season, placing him in the upper half of Pro League midfielders in terms of goal threat.
West Ham United’s interest in Onyedika is part of a broader strategy to strengthen their midfield ahead of the next Premier League season. The club, managed by Graham Potter, sees the Nigerian international as a potential key addition to their squad. Reports suggest West Ham are in active talks and monitoring his situation closely, with competition from other European giants such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan also noted. This interest has intensified following Onyedika’s recent Belgian Cup triumph and consistent performances in the Champions League, where he has faced top-level opposition and demonstrated his quality.
Onyedika’s career trajectory has been marked by steady development. Born in Imo, Nigeria, in 2001, he moved to Europe and made a significant impact at FC Midtjylland before securing a €10 million transfer to Club Brugge in 2022. Since then, his market value has more than doubled, reflecting his growing reputation.