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Paul Onuachu, Anthony Nwakaeme and Chibuike Nwaiwu at Trabzonspor. Photo Credit: IMAGO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
West Ham United have become the latest club to express their interest in\u00a0Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu\u00a0ahead of the summer transfer window,\u00a0Soccernet.ng<\/u><\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n Nwaiwu\u2019s long-term future in Turkey remains uncertain despite only joining Trabzonspor a few months ago\u00a0and the\u00a022-year-old could leave the club in the coming weeks if an offer that meets their valuation arrives.<\/p>\n The Nigerian defender joined the Black Sea Storm from Austrian side Wolfsberger in January,\u00a0where he\u00a0played a key role in their historic Austrian Cup triumph during the 2024-25 season, marking the\u00a0first major domestic title in the club\u2019s history.<\/p>\n He made an immediate impact after arriving in Turkey, becoming an important figure in the Trabzonspor squad. Nwaiwu featured 21 times in all competitions and played a major role as the club went on to win the Turkish Cup.<\/p>\n Fulham and Bayer Leverkusen have been among the clubs showing the strongest interest in the defender.\u00a0The Cottagers\u00a0<\/u>are\u00a0<\/u>have\u00a0<\/u>already had a\u00a0\u20ac20 million offer rejected by Trabzonspor<\/u><\/a>, although that has not stopped further interest in the\u00a0Super Eagles centre-back.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0reports in Turkey<\/u><\/a>, West Ham United have now emerged as the latest club interested in signing Nwaiwu this summer\u00a0and are ready to rival Fulham and Leverkusen for his signature.<\/p>\n The Hammers are preparing for a major rebuild following their relegation from the Premier League last season. With the club set to compete in the EFL Championship next term,\u00a0they\u00a0are looking to strengthen their squad as they target an immediate return to the top flight.<\/p>\n Their need for defensive reinforcements has increased following the departure of French defender Axel Disasi, who returned to parent club Chelsea after his loan spell at the London Stadium came to an end.<\/p>\n West Ham are therefore short of options at centre-back and have identified Nwaiwu as a\u00a0strong reinforcement option. The Nigerian defender\u00a0is generally seen as one who\u00a0could help improve a backline that struggled defensively last season and conceded heavily during their relegation campaign.<\/p>\n However, Trabzonspor are expected to demand between\u00a0\u20ac35 million and\u00a0\u20ac40 million for Nwaiwu.\u00a0A transfer in that region would set a new Turkish transfer record and they have already shown their determination to keep him by rejecting Fulham\u2019s\u00a0\u20ac20 million bid.<\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/rDYal_noyx9szf6nxon7iLaZrwQ=\/5818x3880\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F03%2Fimago1065375096.jpg\")
Soccer West Ham United enter race for Chibuike Nwaiwu<\/h2>\n
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