Nwaiwu: Premier League club ready to pay €30m for Super Eagles star

Super Eagles and Fulham stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey could have another compatriot join them at Craven Cottage this summer, Soccernet.ng reports.

Premier League side Fulham have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign 22-year-old Nigerian centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu, after seeing their initial bid rejected. The young defender could be on the verge of the biggest move of his career just months after arriving at Turkish giants Trabzonspor.

According to several reports in Turkey, negotiations between Fulham and Trabzonspor have reached an advanced stage, although the two clubs are yet to reach a final agreement. Fulham are believed to have made the Nigerian one of their top defensive targets as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

Trabzonspor, however, are refusing to lower their demands. The Turkish club reportedly wants a guaranteed €30 million transfer fee for Nwaiwu and is not interested in accepting a deal that relies heavily on performance-related bonuses or future add-ons.

Reports claim Fulham have already increased their bid to more than €25 million, but Trabzonspor are standing firm, insisting that only a straight payment will convince them to sell an important asset.

Fulham want Super Eagles star Nwaiwu

The Premier League club's interest goes beyond the transfer fee. Reports in Turkey also suggest Fulham have offered Nwaiwu a salary that is around four times higher than what he currently earns in Turkey. That financial package is believed to have made the move increasingly attractive for the Nigerian, who reportedly views Trabzonspor as an important step in his long-term career development before eventually moving to one of Europe's biggest leagues.

If the deal is completed, Nwaiwu would make another remarkable leap in a career that has developed at an incredible pace over the last two years.

Before arriving in Europe, the Nigerian defender played in the NPFL with Rivers United before joining Austrian club Wolfsberger AC on a free transfer. He quickly impressed with his performances and after spending only 16 months in Austria, Trabzonspor signed him in January 2026 for €5.5 million.

That transfer made Nwaiwu the most expensive sale in Wolfsberger AC's history.

If Fulham meet Trabzonspor's asking price for Nwaiwu, the Super Eagles defender will become the most expensive departure in the history of the Turkish club. His transfer would climb above the €28 million which Galatasaray paid the Black Sea Storm to sign goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır last year.