Fulham have stepped up their pursuit of Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, submitting an improved offer worth €28 million as they look to convince Trabzonspor to part with one of their prized assets this summer.
The Premier League side have increased their proposal to €25 million guaranteed, with a further €3 million in performance-related bonuses, after seeing their opening €20 million bid turned down by the Turkish club.
However, Trabzonspor are standing their ground.
The Black Sea Storm are believed to value the Nigerian centre-back at between €30 million and €35 million and are unwilling to sanction a sale unless Fulham meet their valuation.
Nwaiwu has emerged as one of the hottest defensive prospects on the market following an outstanding campaign in Turkey. Since arriving at Trabzonspor, the 22-year-old has established himself as a regular starter with a string of commanding displays that have attracted attention from clubs across Europe.
Comfortable playing as a centre-back or right-back, Nwaiwu has impressed with his composure under pressure, aerial strength, recovery pace and ability to play out from the back. Those qualities have also helped him cement his place in the Super Eagles setup, where he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest defensive talents.
Fulham are eager to bolster their backline ahead of the new Premier League season, and the London club see Nwaiwu as a player capable of making an immediate impact while offering long-term value.
Talks between both clubs are expected to continue in the coming days, although there remains a gap between Fulham’s latest offer and Trabzonspor’s asking price. The Turkish side are under no financial pressure to sell, having tied the defender to a long-term contract, giving them a strong position in negotiations.
Fulham, meanwhile, are weighing up whether to return with a third offer or explore alternative defensive targets before the transfer window gathers pace.
Nwaiwu would become one of the most expensive Nigerian defenders in history and another Super Eagles star making the switch to the Premier League if an agreement is eventually reached. For now, though, Trabzonspor remain firm and Fulham know they will have to dig deeper if they want to bring the highly-rated defender to Craven Cottage.
