Trabzonspor missed out on a €15 million signing as Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze chose to stay at AC Milan rather than join the Süper Lig side. The 27‑year‑old turned down the Turkish club’s offer on 5 July 2026, preferring to assess his future under new Milan manager Rubén Amorim.
Why did Chukwueze reject Trabzonspor?
Chukwueze’s agent confirmed the player felt his development would be better served in Italy, where he can compete at a higher level. Despite a solid loan at Fulham - three goals and four assists in 25 games - the London club did not trigger a purchase option, leaving the winger free to explore other opportunities. The Daily Post reported that Trabzonspor were ready to meet the €15 million fee, but the player’s ambition to play in Europe’s top leagues outweighed the financial lure.
How does this affect Trabzonspor’s season?
The club sits third in the Süper Lig with 69 points from 34 matches (20 wins, 9 draws, 5 losses) and a recent form of L‑W‑D‑L‑D. Their last outing was a 2‑1 victory over Konyaspor on 22 May 2026, keeping them eight points behind leaders Galatasaray. Missing out on Chukwueze means they must look elsewhere to boost an attack that has already contributed 61 goals while conceding 39 this campaign.
What are the next steps for Trabzonspor?
Club president Ahmet Ağaoğlu hinted that the scouting department will target a winger with a similar profile, likely focusing on the Portuguese or Brazilian markets where talent is abundant and fees are more modest. The coaching staff, led by manager Abdullah Avcı, will rely on existing squad members like Anıl Koç and Yusuf Yazıcı to fill the creative gap.
What lies ahead for Chukwueze?
Chukwueze will train with AC Milan while waiting for a clear role under Amorim, who arrived in June. If the Italian side can offer regular minutes, the winger could cement a place in a squad that recently reached the Champions League quarter‑finals. Otherwise, a summer move to another European club remains possible, keeping his options open beyond the Turkish offer.
The transfer window remains open, and both clubs will monitor each other’s moves closely as the race for the league title tightens and European qualification spots are still up for grabs.
