By OkayGoal
Fulham have not given up on the Trabzonspor centre-back they agreed personal terms with in the summer, and Crystal Palace are now in the race for Chibuike Nwaiwu too.
The 23-year-old Nigeria international has been one of the standout defenders in Turkey this year, and both London clubs could make offers when the January window opens. The problem is Trabzonspor, who are in no hurry to sell and will only let him go for a very big fee.
According to Africa Foot, Fulham and Palace both have a firm desire to sign him, with a source close to the player saying the interest has never gone away.
Why did the summer move to Fulham fall through?
Álvaro Arbeloa’s side were keen on Nwaiwu in the summer. In July he was reported to have agreed personal terms, but Fulham could not reach an agreement with Trabzonspor and the deal stalled.
The source close to the defender explained what went wrong: ‘The interest has always been there. An agreement couldn’t be finalised this summer due to issues with finding a replacement and the transfer process.’
That is worth remembering. This was not a case of Fulham cooling on the player. It was about timing, and Trabzonspor not having a replacement lined up. Reports in Turkey last week said Fulham were still tracking him, and nothing since suggests they have moved on.
It also makes sense when you look at Arbeloa’s back line. The club captain, Calvin Bassey, has Man United, Everton, Newcastle and Inter tracking him with his deal up next summer, so lining up another centre-back early would be sensible planning rather than a luxury.
Crystal Palace join the race
The new element is Crystal Palace. The Conference League winners have now joined Fulham in monitoring Nwaiwu, and both could put bids to Trabzonspor in January.
Pierre Sage’s side would give Fulham a serious rival this time, rather than a straight negotiation with Trabzonspor. Sage has had his own questions to answer lately, with Lyon looking for a new head coach and their fans hoping he returns, but Palace’s interest in the defender is real.
What has Nwaiwu done at Trabzonspor?
Trabzonspor paid around €5.5m to sign him from Austrian side Wolfsberger AC last January. He went straight into the side, making 21 appearances in the second half of last season and chipping in with three goals and an assist.
This season he has played 983 minutes across 11 matches and is a key part of the back line. The numbers behind that are strong: Trabzonspor have conceded only eight goals in 10 league games, the best defensive record in the Süper Lig.
| Chibuike Nwaiwu | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 23 |
| Signed from | Wolfsberger AC, about €5.5m |
| Last season (second half) | 21 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist |
| This season | 11 matches, 983 minutes |
| Contract | Until 2030 |
| Transfermarkt value | €18m |
Will Trabzonspor sell in January?
Probably not cheaply, and maybe not at all. He is tied down until 2030, Transfermarkt value him at €18m, and Trabzonspor are said to be asking for an astronomical price for one of the main reasons they have the meanest defence in the league.
The player is not pushing for a move either. The same source said: ‘Everything is in order with the club, and the player is happy to finish the season, as they value him greatly.’
So whichever club wants him in January will need an offer that convinces both Trabzonspor and Nwaiwu himself.
Is Nwaiwu worth chasing for Fulham?
I think Fulham should keep going. They have already done the hard part once by agreeing terms, they know the player, and the summer collapse was about Trabzonspor’s replacement rather than any doubt over the defender.
The risk is the price. A club that paid €5.5m less than a year ago now holds all the cards, with a long contract and a player who is happy to stay. If Palace push the fee up in January, Fulham may be better served waiting until the summer, when Trabzonspor have time to find that replacement and the talks can start where they left off.