Galatasaray have placed Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika at the summit of their 17-man transfer wishlist ahead of the January window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Turkish champions are looking to bolster their midfield ranks mid-season, with the Club Brugge star emerging as their primary target for reinforcement.
Manager Okan Buruk reportedly considers the 23-year-old a “priority signing” as the club prepares to strengthen key positions for the second half of the campaign.
Galatasaray, juggling domestic and European fixtures, are said to be determined to recruit a player who can contribute at both ends of the pitch.
Turkish publication Aydınlık reports that Buruk’s assessment found the squad “has enough depth in goalkeeping, defence and attack, but the midfield rotation remains too limited.”
Onyedika, who was previously linked with Galatasaray last summer, has resurfaced as a leading candidate for the Istanbul outfit.
The Super Eagles midfielder is being eyed as a long-term successor to Mario Lemina, who is expected to depart when his contract expires at season’s end.
According to Aydınlık, club officials view Onyedika as someone who “can perform both as a number 6 and number 8,” with his “physical strength, passing quality and ability to win the ball make him an ideal fit for Buruk’s system.”
The technical team believes the midfielder could play “a key role both in defensive stability and in initiating attacks.”
Yet Galatasaray face a significant obstacle in Club Brugge’s valuation of the player.
The Belgian champions have slapped a price tag of between €15million and €20million on Onyedika’s head. Turkish newspaper Sabah claims the Istanbul club are weighing up “various options to lower the fee,” including a loan arrangement or player swap.
The report adds that Onyedika has already “sought advice” from compatriot Victor Osimhen, who cut his teeth in Belgian football before becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.
