“SHOCK EXIT IMMINENT! £17M Star Vows to DITCH Club After Secret Transfer Promise – West Ham Deal EXPLODES!”

Take, for example, Declan Rice’s breathtaking solo goal against KAA Gent during the 2023 Europa Conference League quarter-finals.

It was a moment of raw power and finesse that defined his leadership and talent.

Alongside Lucas Paqueta, the then-West Ham captain won the ball back from a faltering Gent player near the halfway line.

What followed was a thrilling gallop toward the penalty area—Rice surging forward like a thoroughbred down the final furlong of the Grand National.

It’s difficult to picture anyone in Graham Potter’s current West Ham midfield replicating such a commanding and technically complete sequence of play.

That said, Raphael Onyedika isn’t necessarily a like-for-like replacement for Rice.

However, as West Ham close in on signing the Club Brugge enforcer, it appears the London Stadium could soon welcome another dynamic, box-to-box midfielder—one with both grit and flair, and a level of technical skill that might catch many off guard.

Reports suggest that West Ham are currently leading the race ahead of AC Milan for the £17 million-rated Nigeria international.

According to a representative from the CAA Stellar agency, speaking to Africa Foot last week, personal terms won’t be a problem.

Onyedika is eager to test himself in the Premier League, while Milan—despite being seven-time European champions—may not be able to match Brugge’s financial demands.

Ryan Taylor of the Sunday Mirror (June 1, page 67) noted that discussions between West Ham and Onyedika are progressing well.

Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws has also provided encouraging updates, stating that Club Brugge have assured the former FC Midtjylland star he will be allowed to leave this summer. They even suggest his departure is now “almost certain.”

To fill the void, Brugge are reportedly looking to bring in Hamburg’s Ludovit Reis, once a rising star at Barcelona, as Onyedika’s replacement.

“West Ham contacted Club Brugge on Tuesday [last week] and are prepared to enter formal negotiations,” the CAA Stellar agent confirmed.

“Brugge are open to selling if the price is right. AC Milan made the first move but are unlikely to meet the €24 million valuation.

Personal terms with Raphael should not be a hurdle—he’s very motivated to play in England.”

In terms of what Onyedika would offer, his profile brings something different—and much needed—to West Ham’s current midfield, which includes Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez, and James Ward-Prowse.

While talented, that trio lacks the aggressive dynamism and transitional strength that Onyedika would inject.

The Nigerian midfielder has drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba for his flair, but there’s also a Rice-like tenacity in his game.

Importantly, his technical abilities stand out in a team that could use a player comfortable in both the grind and the glide of midfield battle.

“Onyedika has an excellent first touch, clean and controlled from various angles,” wrote Total Football Analysis. “He’s one of the most crucial players in building up Club Brugge’s play.

He transitions the ball effectively from the first to the second and then the final third. His composure under pressure and physical strength make him hard to dispossess.”

They add: “His on-ball qualities are vital to Brugge’s tactical setup.

While he still has areas to refine, particularly some inconsistencies, his youth gives him time to develop and mature.”

Should West Ham finalise the deal, Onyedika could become a cornerstone of their midfield rebuild—blending strength, skill, and progression in a way that evokes memories of Rice while carving his own path in East London.