Turkish side Trabzonspor are reported to have ended their interest in free agent Blues defender Axel Tuanzebe.

On Tuesday of last week, the Süper Lig side’s president Ertugrul Dogan confirmed his club’s interest in the 27-year-old, whose Town contract is up at the end of the month.

But two days later, it was reported that the DR Congo international’s injury record was a concern and that should the move progress, Trabzonspor would give him a more than usually rigorous medical.

Now, according to 61Saat, they have pulled out of the move, which they say was close to being finalised, with his fitness situation and the player’s apparent reluctance having been given time to make his his mind regarding the switch cited as the reasons behind their volte-face. Instead, they are said to have turned their attention to Estoril’s Wagner Pina.

The news will be greeted with relief by Town fans keen to keep Tuanzebe at Portman Road, the former Manchester United man having been a key player over the past two seasons, despite injury sidelining him for a fair chunk of 2024/25.

Tuanzebe made 20 Premier League starts and two sub appearances for the Blues having suffered a freak hand injury and hamstring issues over the course of the campaign.

Photo: TWTD

Clemcc added 11:54 - Jun 25 If Trabzonspor looking elsewhere, should we also have a Quick look at their alternative too?? half the scouting done lol
-3

bobble added 12:01 - Jun 25 Handy part timer..should be paid per game
-11

trncbluearmy added 12:01 - Jun 25 Never going there anyway
3

Welshblue72 added 12:05 - Jun 25 If move was close to being confirmed we shouldn’t offer him a new contract. Obviously we’ll be second choice for him now Look elsewhere I say.
1

Jas1980 added 12:11 - Jun 25 he's clearly looking at better options, let him go we don't need players who don't want to be here, see ya
1

BluJu added 12:11 - Jun 25 Weslhblue72... did you miss the "the player’s apparent reluctance" bit? He may want to stay with Town, but would be daft not to explore other options anyway should that not happen - who knows.
12

Welshblue72 added 12:14 - Jun 25 Bluju I actually did my bad. I like the player but only want people who want to be here. If he signs I’ll still support him as in previous seasons
4

hammo56 added 12:44 - Jun 25 Due to the number of games he missed last season I think we should also be looking elsewhere before offering hom another contract.
2

Town1Inter0 added 12:46 - Jun 25 Hammo56, how many of those missed games were due to an unforeseen hand injury? It's football related injuries that we need to be focusing on only.
8

hammo56 added 12:57 - Jun 25 Town1Inter0, if you look back through his career you will see it was not just last season that he has missed a significant number of games due to injury. Therefore, I think we should be very careful before offering a new contract.
0

trevski_s added 13:03 - Jun 25 Its funny how its a Turkish based media which is actually based in the same area as Trabzonspor are saying that they are the ones who pulled out the deal (make their club still sound good). They say "the player’s apparent reluctance" like they were expecting to make a decision right away. If this whole rumour was true THEY GAVE HIM A WEEK TO DECIDE, that is not enough time to decide whether to move himself and his family to another country thousands of miles away on the other side of the continent I really like Axel and really hope he stays as we always look so much better when he plays (no offence to Clarke or Johnson) even when he came straight back from injuries. And considering how much time he ended up missing last year (one lengthy injury which was a complete freak accident), he was still always first choice and put in solid displays

3

bigolconnor added 13:04 - Jun 25 Axel is easily one of best players. There are often things going on behind the scenes that can affect whether a player stays or goes. Broadhead was apparently told last season to find a new club but injuries meant that he ended up playing and well. Axel is undoubtedly a high earner so it is easily possible that he has been told he can find a new club.
3

baxterbasics added 13:05 - Jun 25 This attitude some fans seem to have of: "If the player is looking elsewhere he obviously isn't loyal so just let him go" - this is very naïve. Most players will look at better options when opportunity comes, their career comes first, and most of us would be the same in that situation.
6

Ebantiass added 13:34 - Jun 25 Fully fit hes a real asset, its just keeping him fit and injury free seems a little problematic. With some of the long term abesntees coming back it could feel like a new couple of signings.
0

Dissboyitfc added 13:37 - Jun 25 Baxterbasics never followed the money, would always prefer to be happy at work.
2

LegendofthePhoenix added 13:40 - Jun 25 Really hope Axel signs a new contract with us. He is PL quality, we need this standard of player so that we don't have to replace the entire team when we go up next season. And he's versatile - can cover RCB as well as RB.
2

Bazza8564 added 13:46 - Jun 25 Im a bit torn on this one half of me wants nothing to do with players who are putting deals together elsewhere, IF that is true. The other half thinks hes a good player, and we should be building around those. Offer him a long deal and see if he will commit. 3 or 4 years. If he doesn't want to play here and give us a long term commitment, pass.
1

Edmundo added 14:29 - Jun 25 Agree with Bazza: a longer, lower pay deal based on appearances and promotions would be ideal. I think he'd be mad not to take it.
0

EuanTown added 14:42 - Jun 25 Is this another one if those arsene to arsenal type things.
0

BlueWax added 15:08 - Jun 25 I have heard they pulled out after seeing him.on love island
0

ArnieM added 15:08 - Jun 25 Seems to me thst Axel wants away because there's been a Town offer on the table for him to sign for some months now. Maybe we should be looking elsewhere too!
0

Linkboy13 added 15:30 - Jun 25 I think Axel will find it difficult to get another club with his history of injuries he has an on going back problem that has to be monitored carefully so the chances are he will still be with us next season.
0

victorysquad added 15:47 - Jun 25 Axel needs a full pre-season to get himself into prime shape for the season at PR. He should be walking away with Championship player of the season. That is all he needs to concern himself with, the rest will take care of itself.
0

OliveR16 added 15:48 - Jun 25 I think the best answer for him is to sign a deal quickly here. While I don't go as far as some on here (he's looking to go, get rid), many more of us will think that if he keeps dabbling in the market. He'll have a great time in the Championship with us but he needs to tell his agent to stop this nonsense now.
0

cressi added 16:00 - Jun 25 Heard that his missus never settled in the area and went back up north before season finished so may not just be the player .
0

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