Tottenham join Chibuike Nwaiwu race: 3 smart reasons Spurs may not be best move

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest Premier League club to be credited with interest in signing Nigeria international Chibuike Nwaiwu, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 23-year-old centre-back has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year. After leaving the Nigeria Premier Football League for Europe, Nwaiwu impressed in Austria before earning a move to Turkish giants Trabzonspor in January 2026. Just six months later, he could become the most expensive Nigerian defender in history with several clubs in Europe’s top five leagues eyeing him.

Fulham have spent most of the transfer window leading the chase and have already agreed personal terms with the defender on a four-year deal. However, negotiations with Trabzonspor have stalled after the Turkish Cup winners rejected offers worth €18 million and €20 million.

Alongside Tottenham and Fulham, Crystal Palace are considering him as a possible replacement for Maxence Lacroix, while Bournemouth continue to monitor developments.

Trabzonspor remain firm on a package valued between €30 million and €35 million, leaving the door open for another club to step in. Reports now suggest Tottenham are closely monitoring the situation and could overtake Fulham if they decide to meet the Turkish club’s asking price.

Spurs represents another step up for Nwaiwu but joining the north London club may not be as straightforward as it appears for the young defender.

Tottenham’s top centre-back options

Interestingly, Tottenham’s reported interest in Nwaiwu is a curious one as Spurs already possess one of the deepest collections of central defenders in the Premier League.

Cristian Romero remains the first-choice right-sided defender. The Argentina international is known for his aggressive style, excellent anticipation and ability to win one-on-one battles high up the pitch. His biggest weakness has been discipline, with rash tackles occasionally leading to suspensions.

Alongside him is Micky van de Ven, whose pace has become one of Spurs’ greatest defensive weapons. The Dutch defender’s recovery speed allows Tottenham to play with a high defensive line because he can chase down attackers even after they break through.

Summer arrival Jan Paul van Hecke adds another dimension. The former Brighton defender is comfortable playing under pressure and excels at starting attacks with accurate passing from deep.

Marcos Senesi provides balance on the left side with his intelligent positioning and long diagonal passes, while Kevin Danso offers a more traditional defensive approach built on physicality, aerial dominance and dependable positioning.

Compared to that group, Nwaiwu would bring size, strength and athleticism. He is taller than Romero and Danso and possesses the physical qualities to cope with Premier League forwards. However, his passing range is not yet considered as refined as Van Hecke’s or Senesi’s, meaning he may need time to adapt to Tottenham’s possession-based style.

Reasons Spurs may not be the ideal move for Nwaiwu

Regular first-team football could be difficult

Nwaiwu’s biggest concern should be game time. Romero and Van de Ven are firmly established as Tottenham’s preferred partnership, while Van Hecke and Senesi provide strong competition. Danso is also available whenever extra defensive cover is needed.

That means Nwaiwu could begin life in North London as the fifth-choice centre-back despite arriving after an impressive season in Turkey. At 23, he is entering one of the most important stages of his career. Remaining on the bench for long periods could slow the progress that has taken him from the NPFL to the Super Eagles in such a short time.

Spurs’ tactical demands may not suit him immediately

Tottenham’s style places huge responsibility on defenders in possession. Playing out from the back requires centre-backs who can stay calm under intense pressure, break opposition lines with accurate passes and regularly start attacks.

Nwaiwu is comfortable with the ball and can carry it forward, but his biggest strengths remain his physical dominance, aerial ability and defensive positioning rather than long-range distribution.

A team like Fulham or Crystal Palace, where defensive organisation and transition play are often more important than intricate build-up, may currently suit his qualities better while he continues to develop.

Nwaiwu’s Super Eagles place could be at risk

Perhaps the biggest factor is Nigeria. Nwaiwu only recently broke into the Super Eagles after his outstanding performances for Trabzonspor. National team coaches usually favour players who feature consistently for their clubs, especially in the months leading into major international competitions.

If he joins Tottenham and struggles for minutes, he could find himself limited to domestic cup matches or occasional substitute appearances. By contrast, choosing a club where he can make 30 or more league appearances each season would strengthen both his confidence and his chances of keeping his place in Nigeria’s squad.

Tottenham’s interest is a clear sign of how far Nwaiwu has come in a short period, but the next decision could shape the rest of his career. A move to North London would be a major achievement, yet regular football, continued development and protecting his place in the Super Eagles may ultimately prove more valuable than simply joining one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.