Club Brugge coach Ivan Leko has moved to calm nerves around Raphael Onyedika’s future after a fresh wave of transfer speculation linked the Nigerian midfielder with a January move to Galatasaray, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Belgian champions are preparing for a busy stretch of fixtures. But talk around Jan Breydel this week has been dominated by reports that the Turkish giants, helped by Victor Osimhen’s persuasion, are trying again to prise away one of Brugge’s most important players.
Onyedika only just returned from international duty after helping Nigeria secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, yet his name has immediately been pushed back into the centre of the winter window conversation.
Aston Villa and Eintracht Frankfurt are also credited with an interest, but Galatasaray are said to be leading the chase, with Osimhen, his Super Eagles team-mate, playing a prominent role in trying to sell Istanbul as the next destination.
Speaking ahead of the league meeting with Zulte Waregem, Leko insisted there has been no change in plans to keep the Nigerian midfielder in Brugge.
“Nobody told me he’s leaving,” Leko said as per Voetbalnieuws.
“What I’ve seen? He’s training with us again, he’s in good spirits, and he’s behaving normally. I see no reason why Rapha can’t play. He’ll be in the squad.”
The Croatian also made clear he is not losing sleep over the rumours, adding:
“People are chattering and speculating about transfers, but I’m staying calm. We’ll see what happens. We’ll only know more when the transfer window is over. But I’m not worried about Onyedika. I’ve been in football for thirty years: I’m not stupid.”
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Onyedika focuses on Club Brugge after AFCON
Onyedika’s immediate task is to help Brugge navigate a demanding schedule.
After Zulte Waregem comes a crucial European night against Olympique Marseille, with suspensions and injuries forcing Leko to reshuffle. The Nigerian is expected to slot straight back into midfield, an indicator of how central he remains to the coach’s plans.
Behind the scenes, however, Brugge would prefer not to lose him mid-season and are trying to convince the 24-year-old to wait until at least the summer, when he enters the final year of his contract. Galatasaray, rebuffed before, are pushing again, while Eintracht Frankfurt and Aston Villa continue to monitor the situation.
Osimhen has made no secret of his efforts to lure his compatriot, and Onyedika’s camp is understood to view the Turkish proposal favourably.
Brugge, though, would rather sell to a more prestigious league and still believe there is a strong chance he stays put. For now, Leko is planning with him, but with the window still open, the final word has yet to be written.
