West Ham United are alleged to be in the mix to sign a defensive giant with a £30 million price-tag despite their recent relegation out of the Premier League.
Such claims have not originated from a Turkish-based journalist or a social media source, however, but seemingly from the Chibuike Nwaiwu’s camp itself.
Just days after the Hammers were linked with a bizarre move for Matias Soule – Roma’s £40 million-rated Argentine winger – Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have allegedly put their hat into the ring for one of the most hotly-tipped, an expensive, talents in Turkish football.
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It is no secret that West Ham United will need defensive recruits. Axel Disasi’s loan deal expired, Jean-Clair Todibo and Dinos Mavropanos are expected to receive offers while Max Kilman does not appear part of Nuno’s long-term plans.
But if Trabzonspor want around £30 million for Nwaiwu – as ‘a source close to the player’ tells Footy Africa – it is difficult to envisage relegated West Ham winning the race.
West Ham United thrown into the mix for Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu
That ‘source’ claims that West Ham have made an enquiry about the three-time Nigeria international.
Premier League Fulham are also reported to be interested, alongside a Bayer Leverkusen outfit with some of the deepest pockets in Germany.
“I can confirm that Fulham have expressed interest in him,” says someone reportedly ‘close’ to Nwaiwu himself. “But they are not the only team that have made inquiries about him. There are about three clubs. West Ham are one of them, and they are looking to strengthen their squad.
“There is also Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, who have been tracking him since his time in Austria. They remain interested in him. Another German club has also asked about him. It is Werder Bremen.
“I do not think Trabzonspor want to sell him at this stage because they want to challenge for the league title next season and see him as an important part of their plans. Unless one of these clubs comes in with an offer between 30 million and 35 million euros, I believe he will remain in Turkey.”
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky injected £90 million into West Ham when increasing his share to 43 per cent recently. The Hammers will also benefit from substantial windfalls should they sell Mateus Fernandes and/or Crysencio Summerville.
Provided they bring in around £130 million for both players, they should boast the sort of spending power the vast majority of Championship clubs could not imagine of even in their wildest fever dreams.
But whether they would sanction around £30 million to bring Nwaiwu to East London, well, that first depends on whether the initial rumours are true. If they are, it would also depend on how highly they truly rate him, not to mention whether they would be able to lure Nwaiwu to the second tier in the midst of Premier League interest.
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Nwaiwu is a ‘very good player’ but my be too expensive
Nwaiwu won the Turkish Cup with Trabzonspor last season, having also claimed silverware in Austria with Wolfsberger and back home in Nigeria with Enyimba.
The youngster only moved to Turkey in January but made a huge impression. Nwaiwu scored three times from centre-half in his first 16 Super Lig appearances, putting his sizeable 6ft 4ins frame to very good use in both boxes.
He can also play in defensive midfield or at right-back. The latter being a position the Hammers may also look to strengthen despite claims that David Moyes has scrapped a move to Everton for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
“A good player. A player that listens,” Trabzonspor and Nigeria teammate Paul Onuachu said about Nwaiwu last season. “You can see, every game he plays, the performances go up and up.
“He’s a young player. There’s still a lot for him to learn but I’m really glad he is listening [to how he can improve] to what the older boys are telling him. He’s been performing well since he came.
“I can say he is a very good player.”
In terms of other, more affordable defensive targets, according to ExWhuEmployee, the Hammers have held talks with Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry. A veteran of over 250 Championship appearances, Fry’s contract at the Riverside will expire in seven days.
Adam Webster, another set to become a free-agent on July 1st, has been linked. Stoke captain Ben Wilmott and Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor are two other names to keep an eye on.
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