By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika has emerged as a transfer target for newly promoted Leeds United, who are reportedly set to rival Turkish giants Fenerbahçe for the Nigerian international’s signature.
Despite strong interest from several European clubs, Club Brugge are determined to retain the 23-year-old beyond the summer window.
According to Turkish outlet Fotomaç, Fenerbahçe recently tabled an official €12 million (£10.4 million) bid for Onyedika, which was promptly rejected by the Belgian side, who deem the offer below their valuation.
Leeds United, who were linked with Onyedika earlier in the summer, appear to have reignited their interest following the latest developments.
While manager Daniel Farke had shifted focus to alternative midfield targets—namely Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach—Onyedika remains firmly on the radar.
The Nigerian midfielder, known for his defensive awareness and physical presence, has been a key figure for Club Brugge since arriving from FC Midtjylland.
His blend of power and composure makes him an attractive option for clubs aiming to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new season.
With Fenerbahçe expected to return with an improved offer and Leeds potentially re-entering the race, Onyedika could become one of the summer’s most sought-after midfielders.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
