Bizarre Oulai report: Fiorentina target nearly kidnapped by fake Trabzonspor directors
Quick summary
Fiorentina transfer target Oulai was reportedly approached by individuals posing as Trabzonspor directors in an apparent kidnapping attempt. Details of the bizarre incident remain unclear.
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Attributed to original sourceFiorentina are on the verge of a deal said to be worth €30m plus bonuses for Christ Inao Oulai , but there are reports the player was almost taken by people pretending to be from Trabzonspor.
The bizarre situation developed today when the midfielder returned to Istanbul from the Ivory Coast, where he had been on extended vacation following his participation in the 2026 World Cup.
Oulai close to Fiorentina transfer TORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 20: Christ Inao Oulai #26 of Cote d’Ivoire runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D’Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) There had been multiple sources in Italy and Turkiye suggesting that the two clubs had agreed a basic deal for the transfer.
What remained was for Fiorentina to work out personal terms with the player himself.
This uncertainty got very strange indeed because according to transfer pundit Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, when Oulai landed in Istanbul with his father, he was greeted at the airport by people presenting themselves as Trabzonspor representatives.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 30: Christ Inao Oulai #26 of Cote D’Ivoire controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote D’Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Once the 20-year-old was in the car, he was told that there were other teams interested and he had to review the contract on offer.
However, Trabzonspor’s real figures couldn’t find him, at first struggled to get hold of Oulai, but eventually did manage to call him and get him back.
It is an entirely odd situation and it’s not clear who these people were who had tried to almost kidnap the Ivory Coast international in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina had reserved a flight to take Oulai to Italy today, but that has been cancelled.
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What happened
Reports indicate that Oulai, a player linked with a move to Fiorentina, was nearly kidnapped by individuals impersonating Trabzonspor club directors. The incident highlights unusual circumstances surrounding the player's transfer negotiations. Fiorentina remain interested in signing the player despite the alarming off-pitch developments. The story raises concerns about player safety and the integrity of transfer dealings.
Chance analysis
This bizarre kidnapping attempt on a transfer target underscores the murky and sometimes dangerous world of football transfers, particularly involving players from less established markets. The incident could complicate Fiorentina's pursuit of Oulai and may force clubs to review security protocols during transfer negotiations. For prediction systems, the key takeaway is that the transfer may be delayed or restructured due to safety concerns, potentially affecting Fiorentina's squad planning for the upcoming window.
Fiorentina's pursuit of Oulai faces uncertainty following the bizarre kidnapping attempt, potentially delaying or complicating the transfer.
Monitor whether Fiorentina proceed with the Oulai signing given the security incident, which could delay or derail the transfer.