Chibuike Nwaiwu: Key reason Crystal Palace want to snatch Super Eagles star

Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past two years, and it appears that upward trajectory is set to continue, Afrik-Foot reports.

He only just moved to Europe from Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Enyimba two years ago, and now, he could be on his way to the Premier League.

He joined Austrian club Wolfsberger in September 2024, and by January of this year, he was already linked to several elite European clubs, including Chelsea, PSG, and Arsenal.

Eventually, he opted to join Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor. There, he quickly adjusted to life in Turkey and played a pivotal role for the club, helping them secure a third-place league finish and success in the Turkish Cup.

As a result of his brilliance, Nwaiwu continues to attract strong interest this summer, with Fulham touted as a very likely destination. The London club has made multiple bids for the 23-year-old defender, but Trabzonspor have proven stubborn negotiators.

The Super Eagles star still has four years left on his contract. Because he is tied down on a long-term deal, the Turkish club has informed suitors that they will only entertain offers in the region of €35 million.

As the transfer saga drags on, Crystal Palace have entered the race and could even outbid their London rivals.

Why Crystal Palace Want Chibuike Nwaiwu

According to English transfer experts, Crystal Palace have highlighted Nwaiwu as one of their primary defensive targets this summer.

The Eagles are in urgent need of a central defender as they prepare to lose key man Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea. With the Blues set to pay €62 million for the French defender, David Ornstein reports that Nwaiwu is high on Palace’s replacement list.

Standing slightly taller than Lacroix at 6 feet 4 inches, Nwaiwu is dominant in the air, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and adept at making crucial, last-ditch tackles.

Nwaiwu is a tenacious defender — the exact type of player you want chasing down an opponent who is clean through on goal.

Given his qualities, he would be a stellar addition to the Palace squad and would get a great platform to showcase his talent under new coach Pierre Sage.

Also, a move to Selhurst Park would offer Nwaiwu the opportunity to play in the UEFA Europa League next season, giving Crystal Palace a major advantage over Fulham in the battle for his signature.

It remains to be seen if the Eagles will formalize their interest and where Nwaiwu will ultimately end up.