West Ham have identified Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika as “one of their top transfer targets”, according to The Athletic reporter Roshane Thomas.

The Nigerian, who has been capped 9 times by his country, has two years left on his contract and he is likely to be on the market this summer.

Onyedika is a holding midfield player by trade, having made 52 appearances in all competitions this season.

The 24-year-old played a key role in helping Club Brugge reach the last 16 of the Champions League, having started all 11 of the Belgian side’s fixtures in the competition.

Why do West Ham want the player?

It is expected that the likes of Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez will be offloaded if buyers can be found for the pair.

With that being the case, there will definitely be room for a new defensive midfielder in the squad, so the arrival of someone like Onyedika would be welcomed by head coach Graham Potter.

Onyedika does have other suitors

Thomas has also revealed that the Nigerian international is being tracked by other Premier League teams, stating that the Hammers are “just one of many” hoping to secure his signature.

That will, of course, complicate negotiations. If the London club were the only side trying to snap up Onyedika, then the price tag would probably be pretty reasonable.

The demand for the midfielder’s services means there is a danger that West Ham could get involved in a bidding war. Considering the limited resources available to the Irons, it suggests that they will have to make an early move for the player or risk losing out on him. It is definitely a transfer story to keep a close eye on over the coming days and weeks.

Click here to see West Ham’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season