Trabzonspor sets €40m price tag for Chibuike Nwaiwu

Trabzonspor are targeting a €40m sale of Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu this summer, a fee that would make him the most expensive player ever sold in Turkish football history, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Black Sea Storm have already received offers in the region of €20m for the 22-year-old, according to Dik Futbol, but the club have rejected those approaches and set their asking price at double that figure.

If met, the fee would surpass Trabzonspor’s existing record departure — the €27.5 million sale of goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to rivals Galatasaray last season — while also standing as the highest transfer fee ever received by a Süper Lig club.

Nwaiwu’s rapid rise has made such valuations plausible. He joined Trabzonspor from Nigerian side Enyimba in January for €5.5m and quickly established himself as a first-team regular, playing a key role in the club’s Süper Lig title challenge during the second half of the season.

The defender’s versatility, as he can operate across both sides of central defence and also in defensive midfield, combined with his physical power and technical ability, has drawn attention from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League side Fulham.

Despite the interest, Trabzonspor hold a strong negotiating position. Nwaiwu has four years remaining on his contract and has not indicated any desire to leave the club, meaning Trabzonspor can afford to hold firm unless a suitor meets their valuation in full.

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