Chibuike Nwaiwu: Süper Lig assist and a reported €30m+ price tag

Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu set up Trabzonspor's opening goal in a 2-0 win at Alanyaspor on Sunday, his first Süper Lig assist of the season, while Fulham and Crystal Palace are reportedly watching him for January.

Nwaiwu's long ball over the top released Wagner Pina, who scored in the 17th minute from the right side of the penalty area. Mohamed Salah added a second in the 34th minute after a pass from Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, who also recorded his first league assist for the club.

The result was Trabzonspor's sixth straight league win under Thomas Reis. It lifted them to 25 points and second place, three points behind leaders Galatasaray.

The January question

As Soccernet reported on 3 November, Turkish outlet A Spor said Fulham and Palace were watching the 23-year-old, with Trabzonspor reportedly wanting between €30m and €35m. No club has confirmed an approach, and nothing is agreed.

Nwaiwu is also in Eric Chelle's 24-man Super Eagles squad for the Tanzania double-header, so his next two appearances come in a Nigeria shirt.

Analysis: what an assist from the back does for his price

A centre-back whose value rests on composure on the ball gains from a pass like Sunday's, which started a goal rather than just clearing danger. For a club asking a reported €30m or more, a defender who adds attacking output while his side climbs the table is an easier player to price at that level.

The counter-point is that one assist does not change the size of the fee, and any move would depend on a bid that meets Trabzonspor's valuation. If the Tanzania games go well, Nwaiwu will arrive in January with more to point to than the reports alone.