Trabzonspor considered Kojo Peprah Oppong as Chibuike Nwaiwu replacement before transfer U-turn

Trabzonspor considered signing Fenerbahce defender Kojo Peprah Oppong as a replacement for Chibuike Nwaiwu during the summer transfer window before manager Fatih Tekke intervened to keep the Nigerian centre-back at the club.

According to Turkish outlet Gunebakis, Trabzonspor identified Oppong as a potential defensive reinforcement amid uncertainty over Nwaiwu’s future, with interest from the English Premier League raising the prospect of his departure.

The Turkish club held talks with Fulham over a possible transfer but failed to reach an agreement. Crystal Palace also considered signing the Nigeria international after selling Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.

Despite the interest, Nwaiwu remained at Trabzonspor after Tekke insisted that the defender’s physical strength and tactical importance made him an integral part of his plans for the 2026/27 season.

Tekke blocks Nwaiwu’s Premier League move

Nwaiwu attracted significant interest before the start of the campaign, with Fulham and Crystal Palace among the clubs linked with a move for the defender.

Trabzonspor’s management was reportedly open to selling the Nigerian after receiving offers for his services. Turkish football pundit Serdar Ali Çelikler claimed that the club’s hierarchy was willing to sanction his departure.

However, Tekke opposed the proposed transfer, believing Nwaiwu’s physical attributes and contribution to the team’s defensive structure were too valuable to lose.

The manager’s intervention ultimately changed the club’s transfer plans, with Trabzonspor abandoning their pursuit of a replacement after deciding to retain the Nigeria international.

Oppong had emerged as a possible option should Nwaiwu leave, but the proposed move did not progress following the decision to keep the former in the squad.

The development highlights the importance Tekke places on Nwaiwu, whose performances have strengthened his position within the team since the beginning of the new campaign.

Nwaiwu justifies Trabzonspor’s decision

The Nigerian defender has made an encouraging start to the 2026/27 season, delivering performances that have reinforced the manager’s decision to resist offers for his signature.

Trabzonspor have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches, underlining the defensive solidity that Nwaiwu has helped provide.

He has also contributed in attack, scoring against Samsunspor and supplying an assist in the victory over Gençlerbirliği.

Those contributions have strengthened the case for retaining him, particularly as Trabzonspor seek consistency across domestic competitions.

While the interest from the Premier League demonstrated the defender’s growing appeal, his early-season performances suggest the Turkish club could benefit from keeping him rather than sanctioning a transfer.

For Tekke, retaining Nwaiwu has allowed Trabzonspor to preserve an important component of their defensive setup without having to integrate a new centre-back during a crucial stage of the season.

Oppong’s proposed move fails to materialise

Oppong, meanwhile, was considered as a potential solution to Trabzonspor’s defensive concerns should Nwaiwu complete a move to England.

The defender’s name emerged during the club’s search for alternatives, but the situation changed when Tekke successfully persuaded the hierarchy to keep the Nigerian.

As a result, Trabzonspor’s interest in Oppong did not lead to a transfer, leaving Nwaiwu to continue his development and contribute to the club’s ambitions for the season.

The episode also illustrates how a manager’s assessment of a player’s tactical value can influence transfer decisions, even when the club’s management is prepared to consider substantial offers.

With Nwaiwu producing encouraging performances, Trabzonspor will hope their decision to reject a potential departure proves beneficial as the campaign progresses.