One-time Europa Conference League winners slap ₦5 bn price tag on Nigeria star wanted in Turkey

The Nigeria international has enjoyed a successful adventure at the continental showpiece in Morocco

Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi could be on the move this winter after a string of commanding performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.

Onyemaechi's eye-catching displays for Nigeria at the AFCON have significantly raised his profile on the continental stage and in the European transfer market.

The full-back only joined Greek giants Olympiacos in January 2025 from Portuguese side Boavista, meaning he has been at the club for just about a year

While he is still in the process of settling into life in Greece, his rapid rise in international football has been one of the stories of Nigeria’s campaign at the tournament.

The 26-year-old was named in Nigeria’s final squad for AFCON 2025, which kicked off in December, but did not begin the competition as first choice. He started the tournament as second option behind Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi for Nigeria’s opening match against Tanzania. However, circumstances and strong performances soon worked in his favour.

Promoted to the starting line-up for the second group game against Tunisia, Onyemaechi seized his opportunity and quickly made the left-back position his own. He went on to impress in further matches against Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria. His contribution was not limited to defensive solidity either, as he also provided an assist in the 2-0 victory over Algeria.

Perhaps his most eye-catching display came in the semi-final against tournament hosts Morocco, where he was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s standout performers in a match the Super Eagles kept a clean sheet before eventually losing on penalties. That performance, in particular, appears to have sharpened interest in his services across Europe.

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Onyemaechi: Trabzonspor eye Nigeria star

Onyemaechi’s strong AFCON campaign has not gone unnoticed in the transfer market.

According to Buchi Laba per Haberts, Turkish side Trabzonspor have emerged as one of the clubs keen on signing the Nigerian defender from Olympiacos.

The Greek club are understood to be open to letting Onyemaechi move to Turkey, but the 2024 Europa Conference League winners are in no rush to sell and have placed a €3 million valuation on him, a figure that translates to roughly ₦5 billion. Olympiacos are looking to make smart business from a player they signed for €2.50 million and tied down to a contract that runs until the summer of 2028.

Trabzonspor already have a strong Nigerian presence in their squad, with Paul Onuachu – who is also with Nigeria at the AFCON – alongside Anthony Nwakaeme, Kazeem Olaigbe and Chibuike Nwaiwu, who only joined this month from Austria Wien. The arrival of Onyemaechi would further strengthen that Nigerian contingent.

For now, however, any potential deal will have to wait. Onyemaechi remains focused on international duty as the tournament enters its final stages. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draws to a close this Sunday, with Morocco set to face Senegal in the final, while Nigeria will battle Egypt in the third-place playoff.