Fulham have secured a verbal agreement with Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu as they attempt to beat Crystal Palace to the signing of the Nigeria international, according to reports in Germany.
Nwaiwu’s form for Trabzonspor during a standout season in Turkey – capped by a Turkish Cup triumph and a strong Super Lig campaign – has drawn significant interest from Premier League clubs.
Florian Plettenberg reports that Fulham have emerged as the front-runners after reaching an understanding with the player over a move to Craven Cottage.
The London club have now opened talks with Trabzonspor in an effort to convert that verbal agreement into a completed transfer.
Palace track Nwaiwu as Lacroix replacement option
Crystal Palace are also monitoring Nwaiwu closely as they plan for the expected departure of Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.
The Super Eagle has been identified at Selhurst Park as a potential solution in central defence should Lacroix finalise a switch across London.
However, while Palace remain interested in Nwaiwu’s profile, he is not currently their primary defensive target in this window.
Matsima talks take priority
For now, Palace are focusing their efforts on signing Chrislain Matsima from FC Augsburg.
Negotiations with the Bundesliga club are described as concrete, with Palace devoting most of their attention to trying to secure an agreement for Matsima.
In that context, Nwaiwu is viewed as a secondary but still active option, to be pursued more strongly only if Palace fail to land Matsima.
Trabzonspor’s resurgence under the spotlight
Trabzonspor’s recent success has ensured their leading players are under increased scrutiny from European scouts.
The club’s Turkish Cup victory and impressive Super Lig results have highlighted several members of their squad, with Nwaiwu among those attracting particular interest.
His consistent, robust performances in defence over the course of the season have enhanced his reputation and persuaded Premier League sides to move beyond simple scouting and into direct contact.
What happens next
Fulham’s immediate priority is to find an agreement with Trabzonspor following their verbal understanding with Nwaiwu, while Palace weigh up whether to escalate their interest depending on the outcome of talks with FC Augsburg for Matsima.
For now, the balance of the chase appears to favour Fulham, but Nwaiwu’s future remains open as both London clubs keep their options alive in the closing stages of the summer window.
