Konyaspor close in on €1m deal for Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem

Konyaspor are in advanced talks to sign Super Eagles centre-back Chidozie Awaziem from relegated French side Nantes in a permanent deal worth around €1m.

The Turkish Super Lig club are negotiating a two-year contract for the 29-year-old, who is not expected to stay with Nantes following their drop into Ligue 2.

Awaziem joined Nantes last summer and was one of the side’s more consistent performers in a difficult campaign, making 26 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring once and providing two assists.

However, his form was not enough to prevent the French club from losing their top-flight status, a setback that has thrown the futures of several first-team players into doubt.

Konyaspor, who finished ninth in the Super Lig last season, see the Nigerian international as an experienced defender who can immediately strengthen their back line as they aim to push higher up the table in the 2026-2027 campaign.

Nantes exit looming

With Nantes now preparing for life in the second tier, Awaziem is widely expected to move on, and a switch to Turkiye is understood to be his most likely next step.

French outlet L’Equipe reports that negotiations between Konyaspor and Nantes are at an advanced stage, with only final details thought to be left to resolve before the deal can be completed.

The proposed transfer would keep Awaziem in a major European league and offer Konyaspor a proven international defender at a relatively modest fee.

Return to familiar territory

If the move is finalised, Awaziem will be returning to familiar surroundings in Turkish football, with Konyaspor banking on his experience and leadership to organise their defence.

The Super Eagles defender is expected to be a central figure in Konyaspor’s plans as they look to improve on last season’s mid-table finish and build a more robust defensive unit.

As the summer transfer window progresses, Awaziem is keen to secure clarity over his future and maintain the level of consistency he showed last season in France, this time in the colours of Konyaspor in the Super Lig.

The deal, should it go through as anticipated, would mark a swift resolution to the centre-back’s situation following Nantes’ relegation and offer him a stable platform ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign.