Fiorentina‘s pursuit of Christ Inao Oulai has encountered a bizarre obstacle after the Ivory Coast international was targeted by individuals impersonating Trabzonspor representatives at Istanbul airport. The incident prompted the cancellation of a planned flight to Italy as the 20-year-old’s transfer saga took an unexpected twist.
According to transfer pundit Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Oulai arrived in Istanbul from the Ivory Coast on Thursday, where he had been on extended leave following his participation in the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder was greeted at the airport by figures presenting themselves as officials from Trabzonspor, the Turkish club also vying for his signature.
The airport incident
Once Oulai and his father entered the vehicle with these individuals, the situation grew stranger. The impostors informed the player that other clubs had entered the race for his services and insisted he review a contract immediately. During this time, genuine representatives from Trabzonspor were reportedly unable to contact the player.
Real Trabzonspor officials eventually established telephone contact with Oulai, allowing them to intervene and recover the player from the situation. The identity of the individuals who attempted to take Oulai remains unclear, though their actions have complicated an already delicate transfer negotiation.
Transfer stand-off
Fiorentina remain close to securing a deal worth €30 million plus bonuses for the midfielder, having already established the financial framework for the transfer. However, personal terms between the player and the Serie A club have yet to be finalised, leaving room for competing interest.
Trabzonspor had been working on their own proposal for the Ivory Coast international, creating a tense race for his signature. The airport incident highlights the intensity of the battle between the Italian and Turkish sides, though it remains uncertain whether Trabzonspor played any role in the attempted interception.
Next steps
The cancellation of Fiorentina’s scheduled flight to transport Oulai to Italy leaves the transfer in temporary limbo. The Tuscan club will need to rearrange travel plans while ensuring the player’s safety and securing his commitment amidst continued interest from Turkey.
Oulai, who recently featured in the 2026 World Cup according to reports, now faces a crucial decision regarding his future. Fiorentina must act swiftly to complete the formalities of the deal and fend off rival approaches as the window progresses.