In a dramatic turn of events that could send shockwaves across European football, Axel Tuanzebe is at the center of a blockbuster twist involving Turkish powerhouse Trabzonspor.
The former Manchester United defender, currently with recently relegated Ipswich Town, is now facing an extraordinary and highly unusual demand from the Super Lig side — undergo a full medical before any formal transfer discussions even begin!
Yes, you read that right. According to a sensational report by Milliyet, Trabzonspor is so concerned about Tuanzebe’s injury-riddled past that they’re flipping the transfer script upside down. Rather than negotiate terms and finalize a deal in the traditional order, they want the 27-year-old to prove his fitness first — a move rarely seen in high-level football.
With Ipswich Town dropping back to the Championship after a fleeting return to the Premier League alongside Southampton and Leicester City, major changes are expected at Portman Road. Tuanzebe, who has battled back from countless injuries to finally find some stability in East Anglia, now finds himself at a career crossroads.
“Tuanzebe has had a serious injury past, and we want to be certain,” a Trabzonspor insider reportedly told Turkish press, “We’re not ready to proceed without seeing concrete proof of fitness.”
This move has understandably cast serious doubt over his future with Ipswich. While the club retains a one-year option on his deal, it appears they may be hesitant to activate it, leaving the final decision squarely in Tuanzebe’s hands. The silence from his side only fuels speculation.
Fans of the Tractor Boys had hoped for loyalty after what many see as Tuanzebe’s personal revival story — a player discarded by Manchester United, sent on a carousel of loans, who finally started stringing together consistent performances under the guidance of Kieran McKenna. But now, with a potential Turkish escape route on the table and a bizarre medical hurdle thrown in, that loyalty is very much in question.
So far, Ipswich’s summer hasn’t been short on exits. Veteran Massimo Luongo, winger Marcus Harness, and dependable defender Cameron Burgess have all exited, with the latter two already snapped up by Huddersfield Town and Swansea City. Tuanzebe is now the last man standing among those offered new deals — but for how long?
Insiders close to the club say that high-caliber talents like Dara O’Shea and Omari Hutchinson are already attracting attention from bigger fish, while Liam Delap has been swooped up by Chelsea — a sign that Ipswich’s post-relegation shake-up may only be just beginning.
If Tuanzebe does agree to Trabzonspor’s medical-first approach and passes with flying colors, a summer move could happen quicker than expected. But the silence from his camp is getting louder — and the longer the decision drags, the more inevitable his exit appears.
One thing is clear: this saga is far from over. Will Tuanzebe roll the dice on an unorthodox overseas adventure? Or will he reward Ipswich’s patience and stay for one last push at Premier League redemption? All eyes now shift to what could be one of the strangest — and most dramatic — transfer decisions of the summer.
