Everton and West Ham United are currently in ‘pole position’ for Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
That’s [according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri](https://x.com/sachatavolieri/status/1937862859423453349), who reports that Everton and West Ham are leading the race for the 24-year-old midfielder.
According to his information, West Ham have shown the most concrete interest in the defensive midfielder so far. Club Brugge are expecting a deal worth close to €30m if they are to sanction an exit. It’s unclear if Everton or West Ham would be willing to pay that.
Everton’s interest is certainly new. They’ve not been linked before now but may need a new midfielder this summer as Idrissa Gana Gueye is yet to sign a contract extension.
The Toffees would like him to stay but so far, their offer of a one-year deal plus the option of another year has not been accepted. Gueye has been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia and France if he doesn’t remain on Merseyside.
[West Ham have been linked](http://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-made-formal-approach-on-tuesday-club-request-e24m-to-sell-player/) with a move for Onyedika before now, however. Indeed, a report at the end of May stated that they’d made a formal offer. Perhaps that is why Tavolieri states that they are more concrete.
At the time Brugge’s asking price was said to be €24m, now it’s closer to €30m if either the Hammers or Everton step forward with a serious bid.