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West Ham joins race for Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
West Ham United has reportedly joined Fulham and Bayer Leverkusen in the pursuit of Trabzonspor's 22-year-old Super Eagles defender, Chibuike Nwaiwu. Nwaiwu's rapid ascent began after joining Trabzonspor from Austrian club Wolfsberger AC in January, where he helped them win the Austrian Cup. He quickly became a key defensive player for the Turkish club, contributing to their Turkish Cup triumph, which has attracted significant European interest. Trabzonspor previously rejected a formal offer from Fulham and is reportedly seeking a record-breaking transfer fee for the defender. West Ham's interest is driven by their recent relegation from the Premier League and the urgent need for defensive reinforcements to secure an immediate return. With Axel Disasi's loan spell ending, the club faces a shortage of centre-back options, and Nwaiwu is seen as both an immediate solution and a long-term investment due to his aerial dominance, intelligent positioning, and composure. His experience in both the Austrian Bundesliga and the Turkish Super Lig suggests he could adapt quickly to a new environment. West Ham may need to act decisively to secure Nwaiwu given the continued interest from Fulham and Bayer Leverkusen.
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