Fulham Increase Bid for Nigerian Defender Chibuike Nwaiwu as Trabzonspor Demand Bigger Fee

Premier League club Fulham have stepped up their pursuit of Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu after submitting an improved offer for the Trabzonspor centre-back.

The London side recently saw an initial €15 million bid rejected by the Turkish club, but reports from Turkish outlet Fanatik claim Fulham have returned with a new proposal worth €20 million.

Trabzonspor are reportedly open to selling the 22-year-old defender but are holding out for a fee in the region of €30 million to €35 million before considering a deal.

Nwaiwu joined Trabzonspor from Austrian side Wolfsberger AC in January and has quickly attracted attention with his performances, with fellow Premier League side West Ham United also said to be monitoring his situation.

The defender’s rise has added to the growing list of Nigerian players attracting interest from top European leagues.

Opinion: A potential move to the Premier League could be a major step in Nwaiwu’s career, but the pressure that comes with a big-money transfer will be another test. Nigerian defenders have often struggled to get consistent recognition at the highest level, so a successful move could open more doors for young talents from the country.