TBR Football can reveal West Ham are looking to replace Tomas Soucek this summer, amid interest from within the Premier League.
We understand Leeds United are admirers of Soucek after winning promotion from the Championship, with West Ham valuing the Czech Republic international at a sum of £20m.
Now, the Hammers have initiated contact to sign a direct replacement in Raphael Onyedika – although a development over at Manchester City could be impactful.
Raphael Onyedika keen on move to London as West Ham open talks
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been told that West Ham have been in touch with Club Brugge over a deal for the Nigeria international.
We understand Onyedika is interested in a move to London, as he enters the final 24 months of his contract with the Belgian giants – any failure to sell him this summer would see his value drop next summer, by which point he would only have a year remaining on his terms.
✌️ | “CTRL+C, CTRL+V”, dacht Raphael Onyedika! 🎯🫡 #CLUAND pic.twitter.com/QD5ssVP4u9
— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) April 7, 2024
However, it is not all plain sailing for West Ham – who are also monitoring Aaron Ramsdale.
Sources inform TBR Football that AC Milan view Onyedika as a potential replacement for Tijjani Reijnders, who is close to leaving the Italian giants for Manchester City in a £46m move.
AC Milan failed to qualify for Europe last season after disappointingly finishing eighth in Serie A, but remain a prestigious club with a strong pulling power nonetheless.
Raphael Onyedika previously stunned Pep Guardiola
Onyedika boasts UEFA Champions League pedigree, racking up 18 appearances in the competition for Club Brugge.
The man born in Imo – more of a defensive midfielder than an attacking threat – has only scored one goal in these 18 games, but it impressively came against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, netting the opener to scare the Citizens in a game they had to win to progress to the knockout stage last term.
Raphael Onyedika gives Club Brugge the lead in Manchester!
Man City have it all to do in the second half 🫣
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/0EdINcLwon
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025
Guardiola did not directly praise Onyedika afterwards, but claimed the whole of Club Brugge has a “bright future” after being left impressed by their efforts in the opening 45 minutes, although Manchester City ultimately fought back to win 3-1 and spare their blushes.