Super Eagles and Fulham stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey could have another compatriot join them at Craven Cottage this summer, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>. <\/p>\n 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<\/a>. The young defender could be on the verge of the biggest move of his career just months after arriving at Turkish giants Trabzonspor. <\/p>\n According to several reports in Turkey,<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trabzonspor, however, are refusing to lower their demands. The Turkish club reportedly wants a guaranteed \u20ac30 million transfer fee<\/a> for Nwaiwu and is not interested in accepting a deal that relies heavily on performance-related bonuses or future add-ons.<\/p>\n Reports claim Fulham have already increased their bid to more than \u20ac25 million, but Trabzonspor are standing firm, insisting that only a straight payment will convince them to sell an important asset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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<\/a>, who reportedly views Trabzonspor as an important step in his long-term career development before eventually moving to one of Europe’s biggest leagues.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u20ac5.5 million.<\/p>\n That transfer made Nwaiwu the most expensive sale in Wolfsberger AC’s history.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. His transfer would climb above the \u20ac28 million which Galatasaray paid the Black Sea Storm to sign goalkeeper U\u011furcan \u00c7ak\u0131r last year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/rDYal_noyx9szf6nxon7iLaZrwQ=\/5818x3880\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F03%2Fimago1065375096.jpg\")
Soccer Fulham want Nwaiwu <\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/vvVugzOxWBh90hf8P1v9IZC44VU=\/5032x3355\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F03%2Fimago1065372945.jpg\")