Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has confirmed his club is interested in signing free agent Blues defender Axel Tuanzebe.

Widespread reports in Turkey yesterday claimed the 27-year-old was being targeted by the Süper Lig side and at a press conference this morning Dogan confirmed that Tuanzebe is on their radar.

“Axel Tuanzebe is also a player that our scouting team and coach like, we are talking about him,” he said, according to Takvim.

Town have been in talks with Tuanzebe regarding new terms for some while with his current contract up at the end of the month.

The DR Congo international has been a key man in the Blues side over the last couple of seasons after joining following his release by the Red Devils and his departure would be a blow, especially with Cameron Burgess, Town’s other senior player out of contract this summer, having already moved on to Swansea City.

Elsewhere, former Blues striker Jon Stead, 42, has joined Bristol Rovers as assistant head coach.

Ex-midfielder Rekeem Harper, 25, has moved to League Two Barrow on a two-year deal having left Port Vale, who have been promoted to League One, at the end of the season.

Another former Blues midfielder, Paul Digby, 30, has signed for Scottish Premier ship Dundee on a two-year deal having left Cambridge United.

And a third ex-Town midfielder Tom Carroll, 33, has been released by League One Reading after a short spell, having signed in March after leaving the MK Dons by mutual consent a month earlier.

Meanwhile, one-time loan keeper David Stockdale, 39, has agreed to buy Farsley Celtic, the non-league side he has managed since February.

Photo: TWTD

EuanTown added 13:42 - Jun 17 And I am sure Mark Ashton is interested in signing Messi, but .
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bluebullet29l added 13:44 - Jun 17 Not bothered...he will spend most of the season on the treatment table...
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PortmanTerrorist added 13:54 - Jun 17 Tough one. Club must feel there is an element of a gamble here with his health history and wages involved. Also, do we need a defensive RB in the championship? We have not seen a fully fit Harry Clarke for 2 years almost, but if he is fit then I think his profile and ability to push us up the pitch may be a better option....even if Axel is (arguably) the better defender.

5

atty added 14:04 - Jun 17 Ask him a straight yes or no on staying. He must be aware of Towns best offer by now. If no, then bid him goodbye and move on a replacement, preferably soo done you get and not injury prone,eg Gilchrist.
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atty added 14:04 - Jun 17 Ask him a straight yes or no on staying. He must be aware of Towns best offer by now. If no, then bid him goodbye and move on a replacement, preferably soo done you get and not injury prone,eg Gilchrist.
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atty added 14:04 - Jun 17 Ask him a straight yes or no on staying. He must be aware of Towns best offer by now. If no, then bid him goodbye and move on a replacement, preferably soo done you get and not injury prone,eg Gilchrist.
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atty added 14:04 - Jun 17 Ask him a straight yes or no on staying. He must be aware of Towns best offer by now. If no, then bid him goodbye and move on a replacement, preferably soo done you get and not injury prone,eg Gilchrist.
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atty added 14:04 - Jun 17 Ask him a straight yes or no on staying. He must be aware of Towns best offer by now. If no, then bid him goodbye and move on a replacement, preferably soo done you get and not injury prone,eg Gilchrist.
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ITFCSG added 14:10 - Jun 17 Even Trabzonspor has better overseas scouts than us. Time to work, MA.
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jas0999 added 14:42 - Jun 17 I suspect the club know whether he is staying or not. In the absence of any type of deal at this stage the smart money is on he is leaving the club. Which means another new player needed. Must be up to 8-10 now and with little time before the first pre season friendly.
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Edmundo added 14:44 - Jun 17 We have a clear policy to invest in players of a certain age. Pushing the boat out for players with only a year or two of highest level performance left is not an option. I would think KM has most likely got things covered: if he thinks Johnson and H Clarke are good enough for the RB position next season, I trust him. The good thing is we're not getting involved in a bidding war to keep him: there is an offer, if he takes it, the club are left feeling they've got value from it, if not, so be it.

2

Barty added 14:57 - Jun 17 Excellent player and if he goes he will be missed.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 15:34 - Jun 17 I really rate Axel, he is easily our best defensive right back, and can easily play right CB. For those who think we will walk the division and only need attacking right backs, you are understimating the division. There are some strong teams who will put us under pressure and we need strong competition for every position. We also should have a damn good go at one of the cups - we need to be testing ourselves against one or two Prem teams as we get deeper into the season. Hope Axel stays.

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tractorboybig added 16:18 - Jun 17 sick note ,off load him
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:30 - Jun 17 He misses to many games to be desperate to keep him. We need a good right back who is commanding in defence and positional play. Someone who can stop bl**dy crosses going into our penalty area for fun! He also needs to be able to back up a right hand sided wide attack player and be able to supply decent crosses into the opposition box. Not easy to find a player capable of both roles but surely they are available. Personally I feel Clarke and Johnson are not good enough or capable enough from what I have seen of their play. We are building for the Premiership not Championship.

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