West Ham United have emerged as frontrunners in the race to sign Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, with a number of Premier League and European clubs tracking his situation.
Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Leeds United are all understood to have made checks on the 22-year-old, while clubs in Germany and Spain are also monitoring his progress as interest intensifies ahead of the summer window.
Talks involving West Ham gathered pace during the AFCON in Morocco, where Nnadi was part of Nigeria’s squad, and discussions over personal terms are believed to be progressing. Once an agreement with the player is finalised, attention is expected to turn to negotiations between the clubs.
Nnadi played his first ever AFCON match in Morocco. Photo Credit: Poojamedia
The timing of a potential transfer presents a challenge for Zulte Waregem. Nnadi returned late from international duty and missed the club’s most recent match, with growing acceptance that they could lose one of their most influential players before the new season begins.
Since joining from Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv in January 2024, Nnadi has quickly established himself as a pillar of Waregem’s midfield. He has started 16 league games and played a central role in the newly promoted side’s efforts to secure their place in the Belgian top flight.
The defensive midfielder remains under contract until 2028, having arrived for a fee of around €1.35m. He is currently valued at approximately €2m, a figure the Belgian club believe does not fully reflect his true market worth, with hopes of securing more than double their initial investment.
Photo Credit: Imago
Nnadi’s rise has been steady rather than sudden. Born in Ihiagwa, Imo State, he developed his game in Nigeria before spells in Dubai and Bulgaria, where he made his European breakthrough at Botev Plovdiv. His progress has since continued at club level and into the Nigerian national team.
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He made his Africa Cup of Nations debut in Nigeria’s final group match against Uganda and went on to be part of the squad that finished third at the tournament.
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SportsBoom reports that while competition for his signature remains strong, West Ham are currently the most advanced in their pursuit as negotiations continue behind the scenes.
