Raphael Onyedika transfer on as West Ham find Edson Alvarez replacement already
West Ham are moving quickly in their quest to find a replacement for Edson Alvarez at the London Stadium.
Fenerbahce have agreed terms with Alvarez, who is set to join the Turkish side on loan, with a purchase option included.
Alvarez found the allure of Jose Mourinho and Champions League football enough to make the move.
Now, the Hammers have turned their attention quickly to Raphael Onyedika, with a deal for the midfielder already on.
West Ham reignite Raphael Onyedika interest
Graham Potter’s midfield was exposed against Sunderland, highlighting the importance of acquiring more quality.
James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta, and Guido Rodriguez all came in for criticism in what was a lacklustre team performance.
Alvarez did not feature from the bench and could have played his final game for the Hammers as he nears a move to Turkey.
West Ham were leading the race for Onyedika earlier this summer, but a potential move went quiet.
Now, the East London club have reignited their interest in the Nigerian, according to Sacha Tavolieri on 21 August.
- The Hammers need to freshen up their midfield
- Alvarez is set to leave the East London club
- Onyedika could replace him imminently
Following the sale of Alvarez to Fenerbahce, the Irons have now resumed monitoring the midfielder’s situation.
Furthermore, the 24-year-old is said to be keen on joining the Premier League this summer.
Read more: Graham Potter could create unwanted Premier League history for West Ham vs Chelsea
What would Raphael Onyedika bring to Graham Potter’s team?
Onyedika is a defensive midfielder with a wealth of experience and already has 149 appearances under his belt at Club Brugge.
Furthermore, the 24-year-old has been capped by Nigeria 17 times and boasts Champions League experience too.
Strengths:
- Composure: Onyedika has an excellent first touch and is good at protecting the ball from pressure.
- Progressive: The Nigerian likes to bring the ball forward and pass into the attacking third.
- Physicality: He is an imposing midfielder and has a solid engine.
- Big game player: Onyedika put in some stellar performances in the Champions League, particularly against Man City.
Potter needs quality in his midfield, and in Onyedika, West Ham would certainly be adding that.
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