By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
AC Milan have set their sights on Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika as a potential replacement for Tijjani Reijnders, who recently completed a move to Manchester City.
Following the return of manager Max Allegri, the Rossoneri are preparing for a summer rebuild and have identified the Club Brugge enforcer as a strong candidate to strengthen their midfield.
According to The Athletic, Onyedika has also attracted interest from Premier League side West Ham, with a reported valuation of €25 million.
The 24-year-old Nigerian impressed last season with standout performances for Club Brugge in both domestic competitions and the UEFA Champions League, showcasing his strength, tackling ability, and defensive discipline in the heart of midfield.
Under contract with the Belgian side until 2027, Onyedika is seen by Milan as a player who can offer balance and protection in front of the defence—attributes that fit the profile Allegri is looking for in his revamped midfield.
While Milan have yet to submit a formal bid, sources indicate that Onyedika remains one of the club’s primary options, although they are also monitoring other targets as the transfer window unfolds.
Onyedika’s future remains uncertain, but with growing interest from top European clubs, a move this summer appears increasingly likely.
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.
