Juventus have identified Nigeria international Raphael Onyedika as a potential replacement for Douglas Luiz, as the club gears up for a significant midfield reshuffle ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Luiz appears to be on his way out of Turin after just one season, with the Bianconeri now exploring more cost-effective and long-term solutions to strengthen their midfield, according to multiple reports from Italy.
The Brazilian joined Juventus from Aston Villa in a high-profile $60 million move last summer but struggled to meet expectations. He made only 19 appearances, started just three matches, and was largely sidelined under new manager Igor Tudor, featuring for only 37 minutes across the final nine Serie A games of the season.
With Manuel Locatelli now favoured in the holding role, Juventus are open to parting ways with Luiz. Reports from both Italian and English media suggest the club is willing to accept bids in the region of $40 million, despite Luiz being contracted until 2029.
According to italian outlet, FootItalia, Everton have shown preliminary interest in Luiz, prompting Juventus to accelerate their search for a replacement. That search has led them to Club Brugge midfielder Onyedika, who has emerged as a leading target.
“Juventus sent scouts to watch Club Brugge gem Raphael Onyedika, with the pretext that they may be forced to find a replacement for Luiz,” FootItalia reported.
The 24-year-old Nigerian has been a consistent starter since his move to Belgium and has caught the eye of several European clubs, including AC Milan and Atalanta. However, Juventus believe they have an advantage in negotiations thanks to their solid relationship with CAA Stellar, the agency that represents Onyedika, as well as current Juventus players Arkadiusz Milik and recent signing Pierre Kalulu.
While Everton were previously linked with Onyedika earlier in the transfer window, their focus has now shifted to Luiz, potentially clearing the path for Juventus to make a concrete move.
Onyedika has just one year remaining on his contract with Club Brugge, and is reportedly available for around $35 million. The Belgian club are reluctant to let him leave on a free transfer next summer and are open to selling now. Reports in Belgium indicate that the player is eager to take the next step in his career and join a top-level European club.
FootItalia further noted that Onyedika, who has been a mainstay in Brugge’s midfield since arriving three years ago, is “keen to test himself at an elite club.”
With Luiz’s exit becoming increasingly likely, Juventus are expected to intensify talks with Club Brugge in the coming days. The Turin club, currently operating under tighter financial constraints, view Onyedika as a smart investment — offering both immediate quality and long-term value as part of their midfield rebuild.
