Premier League side Fulham have suffered another setback in their bid to strengthen their defence after Turkish club Trabzonspor reportedly rejected an improved offer for Nigerian centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu.
The London club has been actively pursuing the Super Eagles defender during the summer transfer window, but Trabzonspor remain determined to keep one of their most prized assets unless their valuation is met.
Reports from Turkey indicate that Fulham’s latest proposal, worth around €28 million, including performance-related add-ons, failed to convince the Turkish outfit to sanction a transfer.
Trabzonspor are believed to value the 22-year-old at between €30 million and €35 million and have shown no intention of lowering their asking price.
The rejection marks the second unsuccessful attempt by Fulham to lure the defender to the Premier League. An earlier offer of approximately €20 million was also turned down, underlining Trabzonspor’s resolve to retain the Nigerian international ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Nwaiwu has enjoyed a rapid rise in European football over the past two years. After making his name in the Nigeria Premier Football League with Heartland and later Enyimba, where he won the domestic league title, he moved to Austrian side Wolfsberger AC. His impressive displays in Austria earned him a transfer to Trabzonspor, where he quickly established himself as one of the club’s standout defenders.
Known for his physical strength, aerial dominance and composure in possession, Nwaiwu has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe. His performances played a significant role in Trabzonspor’s successful campaign, helping the Turkish side secure a top-three league finish, qualify for the UEFA Europa League and lift the Turkish Cup. Those achievements have significantly increased his market value and reinforced the club’s determination to resist offers below their expectations.
Fulham manager Marco Silva is understood to be keen on reinforcing his defensive options before the new Premier League season. Nwaiwu has emerged as one of the club’s preferred targets because of his versatility, athleticism and potential for further development. At just 22 years old, the Nigerian is regarded as one of Africa’s brightest defensive prospects, making him an attractive long-term investment.
Despite the latest rejection, Fulham are not expected to abandon their pursuit immediately. Transfer negotiations often evolve throughout the summer, and the Premier League club could return with an improved proposal if they remain convinced that Nwaiwu is the right player to strengthen their back line. However, Trabzonspor’s firm negotiating stance means any future deal is likely to require a substantially higher financial commitment.
The defender’s growing reputation has also been reflected at international level. Since breaking into the Super Eagles setup, he has been viewed as one of Nigeria’s emerging defensive leaders. His consistent performances in Europe have increased expectations that he will play a major role for the national team in future continental and international competitions.
For Trabzonspor, retaining Nwaiwu would represent a significant boost as they prepare to compete domestically and in European competition next season. Losing one of their key defenders this close to the start of the campaign would leave a difficult gap to fill, explaining why the Turkish club are reluctant to negotiate below their valuation.
As the transfer window progresses, attention will remain on whether Fulham are prepared to test Trabzonspor’s resolve with a third offer or shift their focus to alternative defensive targets. For now, the Turkish club remain in control of the situation, while Nwaiwu continues preparations for the new season with his current employers.
Although negotiations have stalled, the transfer saga appears far from over. With several weeks still remaining in the summer window, further developments are expected as Fulham weigh their next move in the race to secure one of Nigeria’s most highly rated young defenders.
