Fenerbahçe have backed out of a potential move for Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika after Club Brugge slapped a jaw-dropping €40 million price tag on the 24-year-old.
The Turkish giants, now under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, had made initial enquiries over a possible transfer but were left stunned by the valuation.
Multiple reports in Turkey, including from Fotomac, confirm that Brugge’s demand was twice Onyedika’s estimated market value, which currently stands at around €20 million.
Though no official bid was lodged, it is believed that the hefty figure alone was enough to cool Fenerbahçe’s interest, especially with financial priorities elsewhere in the squad.
Raphael Onyedika, who has been attracting interest from across Europe, including Premier League outfits West Ham and Leeds, and Serie A’s Juventus, remains a hot commodity in the market.
Yet Club Brugge seem in no hurry to part with the Nigerian, who remains a key figure in their plans for the upcoming campaign.
Despite the transfer speculation, Onyedika has been included in Club Brugge’s squad for Sunday’s Belgian Super Cup clash against reigning league champions Union Saint-Gilloise. The match will serve as a rematch of last season’s matchup, which Union won 2-1.
This will be Brugge’s 22nd Super Cup appearance, a Belgian record, and they will be looking to claim an 18th title, to further cement their status as the country’s most decorated Super Cup side.