Super Eagles transfer: Al-Ittihad turn to another Nigerian midfielder after failed Onyedika pursuit

Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad have shifted their attention to Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi after failing to make progress in their pursuit of Raphael Onyedika, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Saudi champions have been searching for a replacement for Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, who left the club at the expiration of his contract at the end of last season.

Onyedika had emerged as one of Al-Ittihad's priority targets following another impressive campaign with Belgian side Club Brugge, but the deal never progressed after initial talks were held.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Eintracht Frankfurt have emerged winners in the race for the Nigerian international after reaching a verbal agreement on personal terms, while Club Brugge were not convinced by Al-Ittihad's initial approach.

Super Eagles: Al-Ittihad switch focus from Onyedika to Ndidi

According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, as relayed by Goal, the Jeddah-based club have now identified Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as their latest target.

The report claims Al-Ittihad have submitted an offer worth €12.5 million to Besiktas in an attempt to lure the 29-year-old to Saudi Arabia this summer.

Ndidi is one of several midfielders under consideration as the club look to fill the void left by Fabinho's departure.

Morocco international Sofyan Amrabat, Egypt's Marwan Attia, Onyedika and Ndidi have all featured on Al-Ittihad's shortlist in recent weeks.

Unlike Onyedika, whose future is inching closer to a Bundesliga move, Ndidi offers vast experience after spending eight seasons with Leicester City before joining Besiktas in 2025.

The Super Eagles skipper made 31 appearances in his debut season in Turkey, scoring twice and registering one assist.

Why Al-Ittihad abandoned Onyedika pursuit

Soccernet.ng reported earlier that Club Brugge were unimpressed with Al-Ittihad's proposal for Onyedika despite valuing the midfielder at around €10 million.

The Belgian champions believed the Saudi side's offer did not reflect the midfielder's importance after three outstanding seasons in Belgium. Frankfurt's long-term interest also proved decisive.

The Bundesliga club have tracked the Nigerian for over a year and are understood to have already reached a verbal agreement with the player, while negotiations with Club Brugge remain ongoing over a transfer fee.

Onyedika himself is also believed to favour remaining in Europe, with regular football in one of the continent's top five leagues viewed as crucial ahead of Nigeria's AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

With Frankfurt now leading the race, Al-Ittihad have turned to another Nigerian international as they continue their search for a new midfield anchor ahead of the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season.