Highly-rated Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Everton the latest club to show interest in the player.
Onyedika has been one of the best midfielders outside Europe’s top five leagues this season due to his impressive performances for Club Brugge.
With the Belgian giants currently chasing both domestic and European honours, the 22-year-old has been one of the club’s key players so far. Onyedika has played 40 matches in all competitions this season, while scoring three goals and providing two assists.
The midfielder enjoyed a productive day at the office during last week’s big game against Anderlecht, where he scored twice as Clube Brugge defeated their rivals 3-1. Onyedika also played an important role in the club’s 1-0 win over PAOK in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals in midweek.
The Nigeria international’s impressive performances in the Belgian league and Europe have not gone unnoticed, with a number of clubs reportedly keeping tabs on him ahead of the summer transfer window.
Everton earmark Raphael Onyedika as Amadou Onana’s replacement
Onyedika has so far been linked to several European clubs, including Galatasaray, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. However, Everton have also reportedly entered the race for the midfielder’s signature.
According to a report by Liverpool World, the Toffees have identified Onyedika as a potential replacement for Amadou Onana, who’s likely to depart Goodison Park at the end of the season. Onana has been a standout player in Everton’s turbulent campaign in the Premier League thus far.
The Belgium international is said to be on the radars of Manchester United and Barcelona, with Arsenal also mooted as a possible destination. Should Everton lose Onana, the report suggests the Premier League side would look to reinvest some of the money from his sale into the signing of Onyedika.
Onana is currently on a long-term contract at Everton and the Toffees would be looking to get a transfer fee of between £50 million and 60 million from interested clubs. While Onyedika is of a slightly different profile to Onana, he is seen by Everton as the perfect replacement if they lose their influential midfielder.
Onyedika also has three and a half years left on his current contract at Club Brugge, but the Belgian side is said to be resigned to losing him, having already made plans for life after the Nigerian by signing Ardon Jashari from FC Luzern.
How cash-strapped Everton can afford Raphael Onyedika
Meanwhile, Liverpool World reports that Everton have worked out how they can finance the move for Onyedika. The Premier League outfit is currently not in good standing when it comes to its finances.
The Toffees have been docked points twice this season after they were found to have breached the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by an independent commission.
This means the club’s spending will be limited in the summer, as they’ll only be able to spend what they have generated internally. To this end, Everton intend to initiate a summer clear-out to be able to afford Onyedika’s signing.
Aside from welcoming bids for Onana, the club will allow defender Jarrad Branthwaite to leave if a suitable offer arrives. The report also adds that Andre Gomes and Idrissa Gueye will be allowed to leave for free when their contracts expire at the end of the season to free up funds.
Everton still face competition from other clubs for the signature of Onyedika and the club would need to preserve its top-flight status to stand a chance of getting their man. Sean Dyche’s side currently occupies the 16th position in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone following their point deductions.
