Christ Inao Oulai was purchased from Fiorentina for 26 million euros, with a possible bonus of 4 million going to Trabzonspor, for a total that could exceed 30 million. The deal, which made headlines even after his impressive performance at the World Cup in North America, made Oulai the most expensive player ever purchased by the Florentine squad.
The Ivorian midfielder, who made headlines during the World Cup, was seen as a "Kante's ghost" for his ability to cover the pitch and recover the ball. Before arriving in Florence, Oulai had played for Bastia and then for Trabzonspor, where he proved to be a key element of the central department. His value rose from 8 million at the start of 2026 to 28 million at the time of purchase, an increase which attracted the attention of top-level European clubs.
Upon arriving in Italy, the attacker expressed great enthusiasm for the new club. He declared that he was "really happy to arrive at this legendary Italian club" and that he considered the choice a source of personal pride. Oulai also underlined that his professional growth has been recognized and that the move represents the reward for the work carried out in recent years. He asked us to focus on the current season, with the aim of achieving ever higher goals. In an interview, he mentioned Yaya Touré as an idol and said he watches videos of some players to improve his performance.
For Fiorentina, the signing of Oulai marks an important step in building a competitive team in Serie A. The midfielder, with his international experience and technical ability, should help strengthen the defensive structure and provide offensive support. The club has stated that the player will be an integral part of the long-term project and that it expects his presence to help achieve performance and ranking goals.
With the season still ongoing, Fiorentina and their fans are waiting to see how Oulai will adapt to Italian football and what impact he will have on the pitch. The club has already outlined an integration and development plan for the new signing, with the aim of making the most of his talent. If his performance confirms as promised, the Ivorian midfielder could become a point of reference for the team and help take Fiorentina towards more ambitious goals in Serie A and European competitions.