Fulham and Everton are keen on signing Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, who is expected to be allowed to leave the club on loan this month.
Frank Onyeka, 26, who is part of Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, has started just six Premier League games this season and is believed to be keen on regular first-team opportunities elsewhere.
The defensive midfielder arrived at Brentford from Danish club FC Midtjylland for €10 million in 2021 and has racked up 65 appearances, bagging three assists. The Nigeria international, who only committed to a new four-year deal in August, is reportedly valued at around £20m by the Bees. However, it looks like he could depart the Gtech Community Stadium on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign. Apart from Premier League duo Fulham and Everton, Fiorentina, Villarreal and FC Lens have expressed an interest in signing the 26-year-old.
However, Onyeka’s current attention is on the upcoming AFCON as he looks to help the Super Eagles lift a fourth continental honour in Ivory Coast.
Joao Palhinha hints at leaving Fulham
Joao Palhinha has confirmed his intention to leave Fulham amid heavy Bayern Munich links.
The Portugal international, 28, has been fantastic since signing for Marco Silva’s side from Sporting CP in 2022. He recorded the most tackles by any player in the Premier League last season as the defensive midfielder helped Fulham to a respectable 10th-placed finish, becoming a cult hero at Craven Cottage.
However, Palhinha has made it no secret that he wants to play for a top club in Europe, although he will continue to give everything for the Cottagers until the last day. Bayern Munich came close to landing Palhinha in the summer and have not yet bid for him in this ongoing transfer window. But if they do and should the Portuguese leave, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka could be viewed as a potential replacement by Fulham.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Onyeka would bring energy, tenacity and physicality to the Fulham engine room. He could enjoy regular game time at Craven Cottage which Thomas Frank has not given him at Brentford this term. The Nigeria international could revive his Premier League career under Marco Silva and perhaps find a new home at Fulham should he perform well during his loan spell.
Given that Palhinha feels his time in West London is ending, Fulham must look to beat Everton to the loan signing of Onyeka.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
