In view of the Hammers’ failed bid for Mateus Fernandes, it must be back to the drawing board for the recruitment team who will seek to pull a rabbit out of the transfer window hat in the next two weeks :One time West Ham midfield target **Raphael Onyedika** seems to have flown under the radar in recent months. Along with [Claret and Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/report-west-hams-interest-in-raphael-onyedika-big-development/), many Hammers fans have been questioning why the club have not pursued the Nigerian international.
His agents CAA Stellar made it clear that the player is not pushing for a departure from Belgium “He (Onyedika) is fully focussed on Club Brugge for now. Raphael is in no rush to leave. He is happy in Bruges and will not demand a move. He is an exemplary professional, always striving for improvement.”
In late July it was reported that Jose Mourinho backed out of a move for the player, when Fenerbahce were quoted a price of €40m, Fotomac reported that Bruges demand was twice Onyedika’s market value.
The players contract expires in June 2027, with his former club FC Midtjylland entitled to 20% of any transfer fee should the Belgium club secure a deal in excess of €9,500,000.
Having made six appearances already this season in the league, and CL qualifying and the Supercup, it seems that he will remain for now.
In a recent victory over RB Salzburg in a CL Qualifying game Oneydika stood out, completing 50 of 54 attempted passes, including seven in the final third. He also had a 100% success rate in dribbles.
It remains a mystery as to why no top European clubs have made a move yet. The 24 year old suffered abductor and thigh injuries last season – so clubs may be wary of this – particularly if both are related. However, this led to only missing four games over eleven days.
Links to Everton were dismissed by the Liverpool echo in June, and there have been no updates regarding rumoured interest by West Ham.
With a reported salary of £11k a week, it is surprising that the player and his agent haven’t pushed for a move, given the opportunity to substantially increase his earnings elsewhere.
It’s likely over the coming weeks more on this story will unfold, yet for now the West Ham recruitment team are focussing their efforts on other targets.