Nigerian defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika is set to be the subject of interest from the Italian Serie A, with AC Milan and Atalanta poised to battle it out for his signature during the summer transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
According to Turkish outlet Fotospor, the Rossoneri have already made initial moves to sign the midfielder as they look to rebuild their squad under manager Max Allegri and launch an assault on the domestic front after Galatasaray cooled their interest.
Okan Buruk’s side had shown interest in Onyedika, having been suggested by Victor Osimhen but they failed to convince Belgian Jupiler League giants Club Brugge to release the Nigerian. With former Arsenal man Lucas Torreira recently extending his contract, Galatasaray’s chances of signing a new defensive midfielder appeared not feasible.
The 24-year-old has also caught the attention of 2024 UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta, who are said to have been monitoring him in recent months and see him as the perfect fit for their profile of a ball-winning midfielder but it is left to be seen if they have the financial muscle to outbid the more illustrious Milan, who according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, have set their sights on strengthening their midfield, with Onyedika considered a top target amongst other potential reinforcements.
Onyedika had a successful 2024/2025 campaign in the Belgian elite division, where he played 34 matches and scored once, while he provided one assist throughout the season, although his disciplinary record saw him bag one booking and a red card. Nonetheless, he also played a crucial role in helping Club Brugge clinch their 12th Belgian Cup title in history, after defeating rivals Anderlecht in the final.
On the continent, the former FC Midtjylland star featured in 11 games during the just-concluded UEFA Champions League campaign, and he scored a memorable goal against dethroned English Premier League champions Manchester City in the league phase. In all, the ex-FC Ebedei notched just two goals and supplied two assists in 52 appearances across all competitions.
A summer move to one of the continent’s elite teams in one of Europe’s top five leagues could be the springboard needed for Onyedika to launch into more career success and compete with his peers at the highest level.
