Premier League club Fulham have moved a step closer to signing Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu from Trabzonspor, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Cottagers have been pushing to sign Nwaiwu throughout the transfer window as they look to strengthen their defence ahead of next season, with the Nigerian seen as a long-term addition who can improve the quality of their backline on a long-term basis.
Nwaiwu's rise has been remarkable. The defender only joined Trabzonspor in January but quickly established himself as a key player, becoming a regular in defence and helping the Black Sea Storm win the Turkish Cup.
His impressive performances have attracted interest from Fulham and several other clubs in the major European leagues, who view him as an ideal option to strengthen the central defence.
Fulham reach agreement on personal terms with Chibuike Nwaiwu
According to Foot Mercato, Fulham have now reached an agreement on personal terms with the Super Eagles defender over a contract that will run until 2030. However, the transfer still depends on the two clubs agreeing on a fee.
With personal terms already settled, Fulham's full attention is now on negotiating a deal with Trabzonspor to complete the signing.
The Premier League side initially saw an offer worth around €20 million rejected before returning with an improved package worth €28 million, made up of a €25 million fixed fee and €3 million in add-ons. However, Trabzonspor also turned down that proposal.
The Turkish club are holding out for a total package worth between €30 million and €35 million before agreeing to sell Nwaiwu, with a deal in that range set to make the Nigerian centre-back the most expensive player ever sold by Trabzonspor.
Trabzonspor are under no pressure to sell, while Fulham are eager to complete the deal as soon as possible, meaning both clubs are expected to continue talks in search of a compromise.
With pre-season preparations already underway, the coming weeks could be the ideal time for both sides to reach an agreement.
If the move goes through, Nwaiwu would begin a new chapter in his career and become the third Nigerian player at Fulham ahead of next season, alongside Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
