According to reports, Chelsea will try to recruit Christ Inao Oulai, a 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, from Trabzonspor during the winter transfer window. A report from Africa Foot claims that Chelsea is interested in Christ Inao Oulai. In the winter transfer window, the Blues are eager to add a young, talented midfield player to bolster their first-team roster. Thus, the West London club has made the 19-year-old Trabzonspor whizkid a target.
Galatasaray will try to capture the Ivorian midfield wonder this month in addition to Chelsea. The 2024–2025 UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup winners have made a bid of €40 million to capture Oulai, while the Turkish Super Lig champions have made an offer of €20 million. In the meanwhile, Trabzonspor will want almost €50 million in exchange for the young player during the winter transfer window.
The most recent bright future from his own country to gain notoriety is Christ Inao Oulai. The adolescent prospect, who is from Yopougon, attended JMG Academy Abidjan’s youth division after spending most of his early years in the Ivory Coast.
Chelsea gazump Galatasaray’s offer with double bid for 19 y/o revelation
Chelsea has reportedly offered Trabzonspor almost £35 million for midfielder Christ Inao Oulai, according to Africafoot. The teenager received his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team later that year after relocating to Turkiye from Bastia in the summer of 2025. Inao Oulai played 20 minutes in each of his nation’s first two group matches after being chosen for their AFCON squad.
Inao Oulai started the last Group F encounter against Gabon, and after a man-of-the-match performance, he was unbeatable for his nation as they advanced to the quarterfinals. Inao Oulai, who has been called a “revelation,” was a breath of new air for his country in the face of dwindling midfield alternatives.
Several clubs have taken notice of Inao Oulai’s performance at AFCON. Galatasaray’s £17 million proposal was judged “insufficient” by Trabzonspor, who want about £43 million for their gifted midfield player. Although it doesn’t seem like a deal has been officially agreed upon, Chelsea is considerably closer to the goal. In late 2025, Manchester City expressed interest in Inao Oulai, but nothing has come of it since.
