Crystal Palace are considering Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu as a possible replacement for Maxence Lacroix, who is close to completing a move to Chelsea.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Palace have agreed a £52 million deal with Chelsea for the French centre-back.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that Nwaiwu is among the defenders being assessed by the Premier League club, alongside FC Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima, who remains Palace’s preferred option.
However, Augsburg have reportedly turned down a €20 million bid for the 24-year-old defender.
Meanwhile, Nwaiwu has already agreed personal terms with Fulham, who have been in talks with Trabzonspor over a transfer in recent weeks. The Turkish club are said to be demanding €30 million for the Nigeria international, who only joined them from Austrian side Wolfsberger AC in January.
