AFCON-listed Nigeria star sparks transfer race with Fulham, West Ham, Brentford interested

Fulham may be preparing to add yet another Nigerian talent to their ranks after emerging among several English clubs monitoring Viktoria Plzeň striker Rafiu Durosinmi, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Cottagers already boast three Nigerian internationals – Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze – and all three featured from the start in their 2–1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

Now the west London side are weighing up the prospect of making it four.

According to SportsBoom, Fulham are one of eight English sides who have been offered the opportunity to sign Durosinmi ahead of the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old has been in eye-catching form this season, scoring 12 goals across all competitions, including two in the Europa League, and has drawn encouraging scouting reports from both Premier League and Championship clubs.

Although he is yet to feature for the Super Eagles, Durosinmi has been named in Nigeria’s 54-man provisional squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, with head coach Eric Chelle reportedly considering including him in the final travelling party.

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Rising English demand for Nigeria’s Rafiu Durosinmi

While Fulham’s interest is notable, they will face fierce competition.

Burnley, Brentford, Sunderland and West Ham are all monitoring developments, while Championship promotion contenders Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have also been alerted. Hull City and Derby County have recently joined the list of admirers, as per the report.

Whether Durosinmi moves in January remains a central question. Plzeň remain publicly cautious about selling their top scorer midway through the season as they chase domestic silverware and aim to progress further in European competition.

But with his contract expiring in summer 2025, the Czech club face a strategic dilemma: cash in now for an expected fee of around £6 million, or risk losing him for nothing later. Durosinmi joined Plzeň from Karviná in July 2023 for just €850,000 — meaning any January sale would represent an enormous return.

Durosinmi is often described as an unconventional but devastatingly effective striker.

Tall, rangy and deceptively powerful, he thrives when running directly at defenders and excels at improvising finishes inside the box. Coaches in the Czech league believe his physical profile and attacking instincts make him particularly suited to the rhythm and intensity of English football.

Should Fulham succeed in their pursuit, the Cottagers would become the first Premier League club in history to field four Nigerian players simultaneously.