<\/p>\n
Chelsea<\/a> are \u2018leading the race\u2019 to sign highly rated Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao Oula\u00ef from Trabzonspor next summer, according to Sports Boom<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n After completing a move from SC Bastia to Trabzonspor in the summer, he has made an immediate impression at Papara Park.<\/p>\n Due to his commanding presence in possession, Inao Oula\u00ef has been compared to Manchester City<\/a> icon Yaya Tour\u00e9.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old has quickly established himself as a regular in Fatih Tekke\u2019s lineup, featuring in 23 matches across all competitions and contributing six goals and two assists.<\/p>\n Since the turn of the year, he has played a key role in Trabzonspor\u2019s strong run of form, with the side winning nine of their last 12 fixtures, drawing two and losing just once.<\/p>\n His influence was also evident during December\u2019s African Cup of Nations, where he remained a consistent presence as the Elephants reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by a Mohamed Salah<\/a>-inspired Egypt.<\/p>\n With standout performances both domestically and on the international stage, it comes as little surprise that multiple clubs are now showing strong interest in securing his signature.<\/p>\n According to Konur<\/em>, Chelsea are \u2018leading the race\u2019 to sign Inao Oula\u00ef ahead of other Premier League<\/a> rivals next summer.<\/p>\n Writing on Sports Boom<\/em>, the journalist adds that the world champions have dispatched scouts to watch his games this season, having made him a \u2018high priority\u2019 transfer<\/a> target for next summer.<\/p>\n The Blues are now looking to accelerate efforts to sign him and have already submitted a \u00a334m total package for the 20-year-old after holding preliminary talks with his representatives, who have been in London, according to the report.<\/p>\n However, the report adds that Trabzonspor want to make Inao Oula\u00ef the most expensive player in Turkish league history by keeping him for one more season to drive his valuation up to \u00a343m.<\/p>\n Amid Chelsea\u2019s initial offer, Sports Boom<\/em> adds that the Blues will have to battle with Premier League rivals Bournemouth, Tottenham<\/a> Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion in the race for the Ivorian international\u2019s signature in the summer.<\/p>\n Having lost 3-0 to Manchester City on Sunday, the London giants have now lost three consecutive Premier League games without scoring, the first time since a run of four games in March 1998.<\/p>\n They face third-placed Manchester United<\/a> on Saturday, a match that would be consequential for their UEFA Champions League<\/a> ambitions next season.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Rememore](\"https:\/\/football-talk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FootballTalk_New_Chapter-rememore.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\nExciting midfielder<\/h2>\n
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