Wilfred Ndidi and the Three Nigerian Midfielders on the Radar of La Liga Club Barcelona

Wilfred Ndidi and the Three Nigerian Midfielders on the Radar of La Liga Club Barcelona

Ero Samson
updated at April 23, 2024 at 3:34 PM
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  • Barca are looking to strengthen their midfield position during the summer transfer window
  • The La Liga powerhouse have drawn up a shortlist that features three Nigerian midfielders
  • Sports Brief spotlights the Nigerian players currently linked with a transfer to the Catalans

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Barcelona have failed to successfully find a fitting replacement to cover for former midfielder, Sergio Busquets, who left the club ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season.

The experiment with Girona's Oriol Romeu appeared to be far from a success, and the La Liga club is on the lookout for another defensive midfielder to strengthen their squad.

Currently, centre-back Andreas Christensen has been deployed as a makeshift defensive midfielder for Xavi Hernandez's team, but this solution often proves inadequate.

Raphael Onyedika, Super Eagles, Barcelona, La Liga, Transfers, midfielder.
Raphael Onyedika is one of the Nigerian midfielders reported to be on the transfer radar of La Liga club, Barcelona. Image: Joris Verwijst.
Source: Getty Images

However, reports indicate that Barcelona is preparing a shortlist of midfielders to strengthen their squad ahead of the summer transfer window.

This list is said to include three Nigerian players. In light of this development, Sports Brief focuses on these Nigerian players who are on Barcelona's radar.

Nigerian players on Barcelona transfer shortlist

Wilfred Ndidi

The 27-year-old midfielder is among the Nigerians being considered by the Catalan club.

The Leicester City midfielder has been linked with a move from the King Power Stadium all season, and a move to the Catalan club is seen as plausible.

Ndidi's contract status with Leicester City also further enhances his potential to play for Barcelona, especially considering he is in the final months of his current deal at the club.

Raphael Onyedika

According to Catalan media outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Club Brugge midfielder is another player being considered by the La Liga club.

The 23-year-old midfielder is believed to be valued at around €15 million by his Belgian club.

Onyedika possesses a variety of midfield qualities, including goal-scoring, which he has recently added to his game.

The Super Eagles star could be on his way out of the club, as the Jupiler League giant has already signed a replacement for him.

Onyedika will bring a blend of ball-playing abilities and defensive solidity to any club he joins, a feature Barcelona can surely make use of at the moment.

Carney Chukwuemeka

The 20-year-old has emerged as the latest Nigerian talent on the radar of the La Liga club.

According to a report from talkSPORT, the limited game time the midfielder has had this season appears to be a significant factor that the Catalan club is looking to capitalise on while enticing him.

Chukwuemeka has found game time scarce since joining the Blues, making just nine Premier League appearances this season, partly due to recurring injuries.

Barcelona are hoping to capitalise on his lack of opportunities to persuade the 20-year-old to leave London for Catalonia at the end of the current campaign.

The Aston Villa academy graduate possesses immense versatility, which would undoubtedly come in handy for the La Liga club.

Chukwuemeka will join the ranks of Ilkay Gundogan, Fermin Lopez, and others as versatile players at the Catalan club.

Onyedika, the right man for Barcelona

In a previous report, Sports Brief highlighted reasons why Barcelona signing Onyedika would be perfect for both parties.

The young midfielder has continued to make waves since bursting onto the scene in the Belgian Jupiler League.

Authors
Ero Samson photo
Ero Samson
Samson Ero is a sports journalist with a track record of over five years in the Nigerian media industry. He graduated from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (2021-2023).
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