Trabzonspor have made clear they are determined to keep hold of Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu despite growing interest from Premier League side Fulham ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Turkish Super Lig club regard the 22-year-old centre-back as an important part of their long-term plans and are unwilling to sanction a sale unless they receive what they consider an exceptional offer.
Nwaiwu only joined Trabzonspor in January from Austrian side Wolfsberger AC for a reported fee of around €5.5m, but he has quickly established himself as a key figure in the heart of their defence.
His performances were instrumental in Trabzonspor’s Turkish Cup success, with the young defender earning plaudits for his consistency and maturity despite his relatively recent arrival in Turkish football.
That form has attracted attention from abroad, with Fulham among the clubs monitoring the Nigeria international closely. The Premier League side are reported to be considering an offer in the region of €20m in an attempt to test Trabzonspor’s resolve this summer.
However, sources in Turkey suggest Trabzonspor are not prepared to entertain negotiations at that level. According to Turkish outlet Takagazete, the club have no intention of selling Nwaiwu during the current transfer window.
The report further indicates that Trabzonspor would only be open to offers exceeding the highest transfer fee in their history — a stance which underlines the value they place on the defender and their desire to retain stability ahead of the new season.
Such a position represents a significant hurdle for Fulham, who may be forced to substantially increase any potential bid if they are to have any chance of bringing Nwaiwu to the Premier League.
Trabzonspor’s reluctance to sell also reflects their broader ambition to build on last season’s success, with the club viewing the Nigerian as central to their plans both domestically and in European competition.
For Nwaiwu, the growing interest marks another step in a rapid rise through European football. Having moved from Nigeria to Austria before his switch to Turkey earlier this year, he has continued to develop quickly and is now regarded as one of the more promising young African defenders on the continent.
With the transfer window continuing to develop, Fulham’s interest is expected to persist. But for now, Trabzonspor’s position remains firm: the defender is not for sale unless an extraordinary offer arrives.
