A number of English, German and Spanish clubs have joined the race to sign Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi during this winter transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.
West Ham United and Newcastle United are among several other Premier League clubs tracking the 22-year-old after his impressive season in Belgium and his breakthrough at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nnadi, who plays for Zulte Waregem, has become one of the most talked-about young midfielders on the radar of English clubs.
His stock rose further in Morocco, where he was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and went on to make his senior international debut against Uganda, featuring in the closing stages of a 3-1 group-stage win.
Although his minutes at the tournament were limited, his call-up alone was seen as a strong endorsement of his rapid development. It has also accelerated interest from abroad.
West Ham, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Leeds United are all understood to have made checks on his situation, while clubs in Germany and Spain are also monitoring his progress.
The timing of a potential transfer is delicate for Zulte Waregem.
Nnadi returned late from the AFCON and missed the club’s most recent match, and there is growing acceptance that they could lose one of their most important players this January.
Since joining from Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv in January 2024, he has become a pillar of their midfield, starting 16 league games and playing a central role in the newly promoted side’s efforts to establish themselves in the Belgian top flight.
He remains under contract until 2028, having arrived for around €1.35m, and is currently valued at roughly €2m, a figure Zulte Waregem believe does not reflect his true market worth.
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Nigeria: West Ham push ahead in talks for Nnadi
West Ham’s interest is not new, but it has now become more concrete. Talks were held during the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco between representatives of the London club, the player and his camp, and those discussions are understood to have been positive.
Nnadi is reportedly open to the move, with negotiations over personal terms progressing well.
According to Sportsboom, West Ham are ready to offer Nnadi a five-year contract, viewing him as a long-term project who can add depth, energy and defensive balance to their midfield.
Once an agreement with the player is finalised, attention is expected to turn to negotiations between the clubs, with Zulte Waregem hoping to secure more than double what they paid for him little more than a year ago.
Nnadi’s journey has been steady rather than sudden. Born in Ihiagwa, in Imo State, he developed in Nigeria before spells in Dubai and Bulgaria, where he made his European breakthrough with Botev Plovdiv.
His move to Belgium has provided the platform for his rise, and his involvement with Nigeria’s Under-20 side at the 2023 World Cup had already marked him out as one to watch.
Now, with West Ham leading the chase and Newcastle still hovering, a Premier League move looks increasingly likely, and Zulte Waregem appear to be bracing themselves for an imminent departure.