Premier League heavyweights Fulham are targeting a move for Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Cottagers are looking to strengthen their backline with an option for the long-term and have identified the young Nigerian centre-back as their top target. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the future of Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey has also contributed to their interest, with both players about to enter the final year of their contract and there has been no agreement over an extension so far.
This has led them to begin a quick search for replacements, and Nwaiwu has emerged a major option as they look to sign him from Trabzonspor.
Profile
Nwaiwu began his career in the Nigerian Premier Football League and was a key part of the Enyimba side that won the NPFL title in the 2022-23 season. He then moved abroad for the first time in his career in 2024, when he joined Austrian side Wolfsberger.
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The 22-year-old helped them to the Austrian Cup during the 2024-25 season, as they clinched their first-ever domestic title, before he moved to Turkey to join Trabzonspor in January.
Since joining the Black Sea Storm, he made 21 appearances across all competitions and immediately became a very important part of the squad. Nwaiwu played the full 90 minutes in the Turkish Cup final win over Konyaspor as well, highlighting his growing importance to the club after only arriving a few months ago.
Potential transfer breakdown
According to Transfermarkt, Chibuike Nwaiwu has a market value of around €10 million and is the fourth most valuable Nigerian defender behind Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Emmanuel Fernandez.
However, Fulham have already had a bid of €20 million rejected by Trabzonspor for his services, and the Turkish club have reportedly set a valuation of around €35 – 40 million before they can sanction a move this summer, which would see the Super Eagles defender become the most expensive export in Turkish football history.
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Meanwhile, Fulham could spend up to €45 million, including wages, to complete a transfer this summer, and a transfer in that region would see Nwaiwu become the Cottagers’ most expensive signing in history.
