Trabzonspor Demand €35m for Nigerian Defender Chibuike Nwaiwu Amid Fulham Interest
Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor have placed a €35 million price tag on Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu following his impressive start at the club.
The 22-year-old centre-back has quickly established himself as an important figure for the Turkish side since joining from Austrian club Wolfsberger AC in January.
Nwaiwu’s performances have attracted attention, with the defender showing maturity beyond his age. Aside from his defensive contributions, he has also added an attacking threat, recording three goals and one assist in 16 league appearances.
His strong displays also earned him a place in the team that lifted the Turkish Cup after defeating Konyaspor in the final.
According to Turkish publication Taka Gazete, Premier League club Fulham FC are interested in signing the Nigerian defender, but Trabzonspor are determined to receive a significant fee before allowing him to leave.
The Turkish club have reportedly already started preparing for a possible departure by identifying Gambian defender Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh of Tromsø IL as a potential replacement.
Nwaiwu’s Rise Signals Growing European Attention
Nwaiwu’s rapid rise is another reminder of the growing number of Nigerian defenders making an impact across European leagues.
After arriving quietly from Austria, the young defender has turned into one of Trabzonspor’s standout performers, combining physical strength, composure and goal contributions.
A move to the Premier League would represent a major step in his career, but the €35 million valuation shows that Trabzonspor believe they have a highly valuable asset on their hands.
For Fulham, the challenge will be whether they are willing to meet such a demanding asking price or negotiate a deal that reflects the defender’s potential rather than his current market value.
If Nwaiwu continues his development, he could become the latest Nigerian defender to attract attention from one of Europe’s top football leagues.
