Crystal Palace have reportedly entered the race to sign Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, setting up a potential transfer battle with Premier League rivals Fulham for the highly rated Trabzonspor centre-back.
The 22-year-old has become one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising defensive prospects after earning his first senior Super Eagles cap during the latest international break. His impressive performances for Trabzonspor have attracted growing interest from clubs across Europe, with England now emerging as his most likely destination.
Fulham have been leading the chase for Nwaiwu throughout the summer and have already had an opening bid turned down by the Turkish club. However, the Cottagers are believed to have returned with an improved offer that is closer to Trabzonspor’s asking price, with negotiations reportedly progressing.
Despite Fulham’s advanced talks, Crystal Palace are now monitoring the situation closely. The Eagles have identified Nwaiwu as a key alternative should they fail to complete a deal for Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima.
Palace are eager to reinforce their defence following significant departures in recent months. The South London club sanctioned the sale of Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea, while captain Marc Guehi completed a move to Manchester City earlier this year, leaving manager Oliver Glasner in need of quality reinforcements ahead of the new Premier League season.
Nwaiwu’s combination of composure on the ball, aerial dominance, and defensive intelligence has made him one of the most sought-after young defenders in Turkey. Although his opportunities at Trabzonspor have been limited, the Nigerian has consistently impressed whenever called upon, while his recent Super Eagles debut further boosted his growing reputation.
A move to the Premier League would represent another major milestone in the youngster’s career and add to the increasing number of Nigerian players competing in England’s top flight.
With the summer transfer window entering its decisive stages, Fulham remain determined to strengthen their defensive options, but Crystal Palace’s interest could complicate negotiations and potentially spark a bidding contest.
For now, Trabzonspor are reportedly standing firm on their valuation of the defender, while Crystal Palace have yet to submit an official offer. More developments are expected in the coming days as both Premier League clubs weigh up their next move.
