Trabzonspor star Christ Inao Oulai has only been in Turkish football for one season and yet, Chelsea are in talks to end that stint with talks underway and a mammoth £44m move on the cards.
Still only 19, Ivory Coast international Inao Oulai has emerged onto the European radar after scoring six goals in 18 for Bastia. It saw Trabzonspor buy Inao Oulai for less than £5m in the last summer window.
He has gone on to continue that form in a Trabzonspor shirt, winning a starting place in the SuperLig side’s XI. He has since had a hand in six goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for Trabzonspor.
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His form has caught the eye of numerous clubs in the Premier League but as things stand, Chelsea are on pole to land Inao Oulai, who played for the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
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According to AfricaFoot, Chelsea are in ‘intensive negotiations’ with Trabzonspor over a summer deal for the Ivorian midfielder. It is believed a fee of £44m would convince the SuperLig outfit to sell Inao Oulai.
Chelsea are not the only clubs interested, however. London rivals Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace are also keen on luring him to London, while Galatasaray want to keep him in Turkish football.
Chelsea tabled a bid for Inao Oulai in January window
In the previous window, Chelsea failed to make any new signings despite their pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet and being linked with numerous other signings. The likes of Douglas Luiz, Curtis Jones and more.
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Reports also said that Chelsea offered Trabzonspor a £35m fee for Inao Oulai’s services. But clearly, that was rejected with Inao Oulai still starring in Turkish football. He has a contract until the summer of 2030.
Whether Chelsea’s interest remains until the summer window, who knows. If signed, the likely scenario is that Inao Oulai could go on loan, possibly back to French football with BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg.
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