West Ham enter battle with AC Milan for Nigerian midfield star Raphael Onyedika

West Ham United have formally entered the race to sign Nigerian international Raphael Onyedika, intensifying competition with AC Milan for the highly-rated Club Brugge midfielder.

The Premier League club has initiated contact with Brugge regarding Onyedika’s availability.

The 24-year-old is under contract until 2027, and the Belgian side is reportedly holding out for a fee close to €24 million for one of their most prized assets.

A representative from the player’s agency, CAA Stellar, confirmed that the Hammers are keen to bring the Super Eagles international to London and are prepared to enter direct negotiations with Brugge.

“West Ham made contact with Club Bruges on Tuesday and are ready to begin talks, as they are willing to sell for the right price. AC Milan were the first to approach, but are unlikely to match the €24 million valuation. Personal terms with Raphael (Onyedika) should not be an issue, as the player is keen to play in the Premier League,” the agency source revealed.

Onyedika’s journey has seen him rise rapidly through European football.

He joined Club Brugge in 2022 from Danish side FC Midtjylland, having previously gained first-team experience during a loan spell at FC Fredericia.

Since moving to Belgium, the Nigerian midfielder has accumulated 141 appearances across all competitions, contributing six goals and four assists.

Last season alone, Onyedika featured in 52 matches, including outings in the Belgian Pro League, the UEFA Champions League, and the Belgian Cup.

His energetic midfield displays and composure on the ball have made him one of the top-rated African players in the Jupiler Pro League.

Although AC Milan have been monitoring Onyedika for several months, their ability to match Club Brugge’s asking price remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, both Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich were reportedly linked with the Nigerian during the January transfer window, but no formal bids materialized.

Valued at €20 million on Transfermarkt, Onyedika’s profile continues to rise.

Internationally, he made his debut for Nigeria in 2022 and has since earned 16 caps and scored once for the Super Eagles.

With West Ham eager to bolster their midfield ahead of the new season, and Onyedika keen on a move to the Premier League, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining his next destination.