Anthony Dennis transfer: Why Trabzonspor deal may boost Super Eagles chances

Anthony Dennis could be on the verge of the biggest move of his young career after Turkish giants Trabzonspor submitted an official offer for the Nigerian midfielder, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 21-year-old has been a standout performer in the Turkish Süper Lig following two impressive seasons with Göztepe, where he developed from an academy prospect into one of the league’s most reliable defensive midfielders.

Reports from Turkey indicate that Trabzonspor have formally opened negotiations with Göztepe for Dennis. The Izmir club’s owners, Sport Republic, are believed to value the player at around €7 million, a figure that indicates both his rapid development and his importance to the team.

Dennis arrived at Göztepe from Nigeria’s HB Academy in 2023 and initially spent time adapting to European football through the club’s youth setup. His breakthrough came during the 2023/24 campaign when he helped Göztepe secure promotion back to the Turkish top flight.

Since then, the Kaduna-born midfielder has become a key figure in the club’s midfield. During the recently concluded 2025/26 Süper Lig season, he made 31 league appearances, scored three goals and accumulated 2,472 minutes of action.

His performances attracted attention from several clubs across Europe. Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig, Union Berlin and Mainz have monitored him, while Villarreal, Anderlecht and Turkish rivals Beşiktaş have also been linked with the Nigerian. However, with no concrete bids arriving from those clubs this summer so far, Trabzonspor have moved into a strong position in the race for his signature.

Anthony Dennis: Why the move could improve his Super Eagles prospects

A transfer to Trabzonspor could significantly improve Anthony Dennis’ chances of becoming a regular member of the Super Eagles squad under Eric Chelle.

Although his performances in Turkey earned him recognition and a first inclusion in a couple of Nigeria’s provisional rosters, he has struggled to break into major tournament squads. He missed out on selection for recent international assignments, including the Africa Cup of Nations squad and the Unity Cup.

One of the biggest reasons is the intense competition in Nigeria’s midfield. Established names such as Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka have continued to dominate the defensive midfield positions, leaving little room for newcomers.

A move to Trabzonspor would immediately place Dennis on a bigger stage. The Black Sea club regularly challenges for European qualification and competes under greater pressure than Göztepe. Weekly appearances in high-profile league matches and possible UEFA competitions would give the midfielder greater visibility among Nigeria’s coaching staff.

The transfer could also help him develop aspects of his game required at international level. At Göztepe, Dennis has primarily operated as a ball-winning midfielder tasked with protecting the defence. At Trabzonspor, he would likely be expected to contribute more in possession, improve his distribution and handle greater tactical responsibilities.

There is also an encouraging trend for Nigerian players at Trabzonspor. Every Nigerian currently associated with the club has earned at least one Super Eagles cap, a pointer to the visibility that comes with playing for one of Turkey’s traditional powerhouses. A successful spell at Trabzonspor may be exactly what the former HB Academy star needs to move closer to becoming a permanent fixture in the Super Eagles squad.