English Premier League side West Ham United have shifted their transfer focus from Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika to DR Congo youngster Ngal’ayel Mukau, according to transfer insider Sacha Tavolieri.
Onyedika, 24, has been a mainstay at Club Brugge since arriving from Danish side Midtjylland three years ago, thriving under multiple coaches and attracting interest from clubs across Europe. He was strongly linked with AC Milan last summer before the Rossoneri opted to sign Youssouf Fofana from Monaco instead.
West Ham had been monitoring Onyedika closely during this transfer window, with manager Graham Potter eager to bolster his midfield options. However, the Hammers have now placed the Nigerian lower on their list of priorities as they move to secure 20-year-old Mukau from Lille.
Mukau, who joined Lille last year, has earned plaudits for his close ball control, relentless work rate, and physical strength in possession. Valued at around €20m, the DR Congo international is considered an affordable and high-upside signing for West Ham.
The French club has a track record of producing top-tier midfielders, including Amadou Onana, Renato Sanches, Idrissa Gueye, and Yves Bissouma — a pedigree that West Ham hope Mukau could follow.
Despite the shift in focus, Onyedika remains on the club’s radar as a fallback option should a deal for Mukau fail to materialise. The two midfielders share similar defensive and technical profiles, making the Nigerian a viable alternative.
For now, Onyedika is set to continue as a key figure for Club Brugge, aiming to spearhead the Blauw-Zwart’s push to reclaim the Belgian Jupiler Pro League title in the upcoming campaign.