Fulham news: Three defenders Cottagers can sign away from Chibuike Nwaiwu

Fulham’s pursuit of Chibuike Nwaiwu has stalled after the Super Eagles defender expressed his desire to remain at Trabzonspor, Afrik Foot reports.

Nwaiwu’s decision to stay in Turkey has left Fulham with an urgent problem. Issa Diop’s contract expires at the end of next season, Calvin Bassey’s future remains unresolved with just one year left on his deal, and no extension talks are underway.

The club need to plan for a defensive unit capable of holding its own in the Premier League without the Nigerian they had identified as their primary target.

West Ham have since entered the race for Nwaiwu, and Bayer Leverkusen are also monitoring the situation, meaning the competition for the 22-year-old’s signature has only intensified since Fulham’s approach was rebuffed.

Super Eagles and Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu. Copyright: xToyinxOshodix IMAGO

With Trabzonspor showing no signs of softening their stance and Nwaiwu personally committed to another season at Papara Park, Fulham must look elsewhere.

Three defenders Fulham can sign apart from Chibuike Nwaiwu

1. Dara O’Shea

The first option is Ipswich Town centre-back Dara O’Shea, and the case for him is built on exactly the kind of Premier League-proven, immediately available profile that Fulham need in this window.

The Republic of Ireland international has shuffled across the English Premier League and the EFL Championship over the past four seasons. Having already played through several relegation battles is a test of character that reveals a lot about a defender’s quality.

Dara O’Shea of Ipswich Town applauds fans. Copyright: Imago

Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League changes O’Shea’s situation. His profile fits that of a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix, and his fee would be considerably more manageable than what Trabzonspor are demanding for Nwaiwu.

However, it’ll plunge Kieran McKenna’s men into the market, and his leadership at Ipswich, especially as the club’s captain, would make his exit almost impossible. While he’s an ideal candidate for the Cottagers, it’ll be hard for the newly-promoted Premier League side to part ways with him.

2. Ayden Heaven (loan from Manchester United)

The second option is a loan deal for Manchester United’s centre-back prospect Ayden Heaven. The 19-year-old is a part of United’s deep squad.

Ayden Heaven of Manchester United against Fulham. Copyright: ImagoxNigelxKeenex

With Michael Carrick reverting to a back-four following Ruben Amorim’s exit, the English youngster will have to compete with Mattijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lenny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez for playing time.

That means he is unlikely to break into the first team at Old Trafford next season, regardless of his quality. A loan to Fulham would offer Heaven exactly what United need for his development – consistent Premier League minutes in a structured system under a team that is unlikely to get relegated from the English top-flight.

For Fulham, the appeal is equally clear. Heaven arrives with no permanent transfer fee attached, freeing up budget for investment elsewhere. He is physically equipped for the Premier League, technically developed, and the short-term nature of a loan means the arrangement carries no long-term risk of a permanent signing.

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo. Copyright: xVitaliixKliuievxIMAGO

3. Tosin Adarabioyo – a Craven Cottage return

The Nigerian-eligible centre-back left Fulham for Chelsea in the summer of 2024, but his time at Stamford Bridge has not gone according to plan. He’s seen his playing time reduce drastically, playing in just 16 Premier League games last season, eight of which came from the bench.

Adarabioyo knows Fulham intimately, and while a return to the Craven Cottage might seem out of pocket, he’ll be joining as a mature leader in the dressing room, not just as a newbie.

Bringing him back, whether permanently or on loan, would provide Fulham’s next coach with a defender who needs no settling-in period, but one that is ready to thrive.

At 28, he’ll cost significantly less than the €35m fee Trabzonspor are demanding for Chibuike Nwaiwu.