Fulham’s pursuit of Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has suffered a setback after Trabzonspor reportedly turned down an offer worth up to €20 million for the highly-rated centre-back.
The Premier League side have identified Nwaiwu as a long-term defensive solution and are keen to bring him to Craven Cottage ahead of the new season. However, the Turkish club have made it clear that prising the Super Eagles defender away from Trabzon will not come cheap.
According to reports from Turkey, Trabzonspor rejected Fulham’s proposal despite the significant financial package on the table. The Black Sea Storm are determined to keep hold of one of their most valuable assets and are not actively looking to sell this summer.
Fulham’s interest in Nwaiwu is believed to be linked to uncertainty surrounding the futures of key defenders Calvin Bassey and Issa Diop. While Diop’s contract is entering its final year, Bassey’s current deal is also approaching its expiration date, although the club retain an option to extend it.
With those concerns in mind, the Cottagers have accelerated plans to strengthen their backline and view Nwaiwu as a player capable of becoming a cornerstone of their defence for years to come.
The race for the Nigerian international has also attracted interest from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and Serie A outfit Lazio, but Fulham are currently understood to be leading the chase.
Nwaiwu’s rapid rise has been remarkable. The 22-year-old only joined Trabzonspor from Austrian club Wolfsberger during the winter transfer window in a deal worth around €5.5 million. Since arriving in Turkey, he has quickly established himself as one of the team’s most dependable performers.
The defender featured in 21 matches across all competitions during the second half of the season and became a regular starter almost immediately after his arrival. His consistent displays played a key role in Trabzonspor’s successful campaign, which culminated in Turkish Cup glory.
Nwaiwu was also part of the side that defeated Konyaspor 2-1 in the cup final, with fellow Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu scoring both goals to secure the club’s first major trophy since 2022.
His impressive club form has also been rewarded at international level. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle handed him his senior Nigeria debut earlier this year, and the youngster has continued to grow in stature within the national team setup.
He featured during Nigeria’s Unity Cup-winning campaign, where his partnership with fellow defender Igor Ogbu drew praise from fans and observers alike.
Despite spending only a few months in Turkey, Nwaiwu’s performances have significantly increased his market value. Trabzonspor are reportedly prepared to consider offers only if they exceed the record fee Brighton paid for Ferdi Kadioglu in 2024.
Such a valuation underlines how highly the Turkish club rate the defender and signals their intention to resist any attempts to lure him away unless an extraordinary bid arrives.
For now, Fulham’s opening offer has been firmly rejected, but with the summer transfer window still in its early stages, the battle for one of Nigeria’s most promising defenders may be far from over.
