PSG, Bayern, Milan target Onyedika
Super Eagles midfielder, Raphael Onyedika, has emerged as the most wanted player by several top European clubs, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
According to The Telegraph, the Nigerian, who has excelled in the midfield position, has drawn attention from some of the biggest clubs across various leagues in Europe.The UK publication reported that heavyweights like Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Porto and AC Milan have made enquiries for the 23-year-old.
Onyedika has been at the heart of Club Brugge’s impressive runs, helping the Belgian club to 20 games unbeaten.
His impressive display for Brugge has not gone unnoticed as the midfielder has emerged as the primary target for several clubs.
“City have been looking at defensive midfielders following Rodri’s long-term injury and now they face Onyedika, 23, who has excelled in that position and has heavyweights from the biggest leagues chasing his signature. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Porto and AC Milan have made enquiries,” The Telegraph wrote ahead of Club Brugge’s Champions League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday.
“Paris St-Germain have also been watching Onyedika as they consider bolstering the midfield who overran City last week at the Parc des Princes. Onyedika’s stats are comparable to those of PSG’s João Neves, who was highlighted by Uefa’s technical report for his performance in the 4-2 win.
“Neves has averaged 10.9 kilometres per match in the Champions League this season, while Onyedika has clocked 10.5km. Onyedika’s passing accuracy has been 90.34 per cent throughout the competition.”
In the previous transfer windows, Aston Villa made tentative enquiries for the combative midfielder as they sought a defensive midfielder. However, it has been big clubs in Europe who have made the most running for Onyedika so far.
The Nigerian’s stock inevitably will rise higher as the top clubs battle for his signature.
Meanwhile, according to Belgian sources, Brugge are reluctant to let go of one of their key players and are determined to keep him during the January transfer window.
Onyedika’s journey to emerging as one of Europe’s most wanted players started in Onitsha, where his family would sometimes have to beg for food.
“I have five brothers. At times, it was a struggle to survive,” he told Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws.
He was spotted by Nigerian club Ebedei’s academy, who had links with Danish club Midtjylland, and that offered a pathway to Europe for him.
“I played with the youth for one year, then I got a contract and joined the A team. Then I was loaned to Fredericia in the Danish second division,” he said.
“I did learn what it was like to play men’s football there. I became tougher. It was tough. But you have to look at the bigger picture. It pushed me to a higher level. I returned to Midtjylland a year later and suddenly played European football. That was my dream as a little boy.”
During his time at Midtjylland, Italian giants Milan monitored his progress and were interested in acquiring him, but he chose Brugge to develop his career.
Currently valued at €16m according to transfermarkt with more than two years left on his contract, the Nigerian will not come cheap with Brugge keen on keeping one of their most prized assets.
