Trabzonspor refuse to lower Nwaiwu’s price

Several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Fulham, have failed to secure Chibuike Nwaiwu's signature despite his impressive performances for Trabzonspor in Turkey. The 23-year-old defender has caught the eye of clubs from England, Italy and beyond following a stellar first half of the season. Despite interest from several high-profile clubs, Trabzonspor remains steadfast in their position, refusing to budge on their asking price.

The Nigerian centre-back has been at the centre of transfer activity, with Fulham making an initial bid of €20m, which was swiftly rejected. Following this, Fulham returned with a revised offer of €25m, supplemented by performance-related add-ons, but Trabzonspor turned down the offer outright. Fulham then escalated their pursuit by presenting a proposal of €30m, including additional performance-related incentives.

However, even this bid was deemed insufficient by Trabzonspor. The club has now set a clear stipulation that Nwaiwu will not be sold unless a prospective buyer is prepared to meet their valuation of at least €30m. Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan firmly stated that the club is not considering selling the player under any circumstances.

The Nigerian international, who joined Trabzonspor from Austrian club Wolfsberger AC in January 2026 for approximately €5.5m, has since proven his worth, becoming a regular starter and contributing significantly to the Turkish club's success, including winning the Turkish Cup. His versatility in playing as both a central defender and a defensive midfielder has only added to his marketability.