Former Trabzonspor assistant coach Hamdi Zıvalıoğlu expects Chibuike Nwaiwu to remain at the Turkish Cup winners amid speculation linking the defender with a move to the Premier League this summer.
The Super Eagles centre-back has been linked with a transfer to Fulham, while Crystal Palace have identified him as a potential reinforcement following Marc Guéhi's departure for Manchester City earlier this year and Maxence Lacroix's permanent move to Chelsea.
Amid speculation surrounding his future, Nwaiwu was not at his best during pre-season preparations, conceding three penalties while scoring an own goal across four matches.
Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan made it clear that the club do not intend to sell players before the close of the summer transfer window unless an astronomical offer is received.
Speaking about Nwaiwu's future, Zıvalıoğlu suggested that a move could become more realistic during the January transfer window.
"He won’t leave now, he might leave in six months. If you can prepare his psychology and mentality, there is another transfer window in January," he told Haber61.
"I don’t think he will leave at this point. Unless astronomical offers come in, he will stay with the team."
Signed from Wolfsberger AC during the January transfer window, Nwaiwu still has four years remaining on his contract with Trabzonspor.
The 23-year-old scored three headed goals in 16 Turkish Super Lig outings in the second half of last season.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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