Leicester City

Leicester City

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Boubakary Soumare linked with early Leicester exit as Brendan Rodgers stance gets two clubs involved

Boubakary Soumare has been linked with a move away from Leicester City, just a year since he joined the Foxes from Lille.

Leicester paid the French side £18million to sign the central midfielder after his great campaign in Ligue 1. Soumare made 32 appearances last season as Lille won the French league title for the first time since 2010-11.

Soumare was aiming to break into Brendan Rodgers’ midfield. It would not be an easy task as Leicester also have Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in their squad.

Soumare did manage to force his way into Rodgers’ thinking and began to start Premier League matches from September onwards. He went on to feature 30 times in all competitions, although a goal didn’t come his way.

However, the former France U21 international began to lose his place towards the end of the campaign.

Rodgers gave him just two outings in the final 17 league games. And this decision could result in Soumare leaving the King Power after just 12 months.

According to Sport Witness, who cite French source Media Foot, Soumare is a transfer target for Monaco and Atalanta.

They believe the player could be available for transfer this summer after seemingly falling down the pecking order at Leicester.

Monaco keeping tabs on Boubakary Soumare developments

It is Monaco in particular who are preparing to push for Soumare’s signature. They are ‘attentively watching’ his situation.

The interest mainly stems from Monaco boss Philippe Clement, who is searching for a new midfielder to bolster his options. And Soumare is seen as an ideal solution.

The most likely exit scenario would be a loan exit, perhaps for one season. Leicester probably won’t sanction a permanent move after investing £18m in 2021.

Monaco are now waiting to see if Leicester will accept negotiations for a loan switch. Soumare, 23, ‘ticks all the boxes’ for Clement, so he will delighted if the move comes to fruition.

Boubakary Soumare of Leicester

Atalanta also like the look of Soumare. He is on their shortlist as they scour Europe for new additions. Monaco is the most likely destination though, given Soumare is from France and has Ligue 1 experience.

This would be a surprising move to go through. Tielemans is wanted by a host of top clubs, and Leicester shouldn’t consider exits for two of their central midfielders. This would leave Rodgers dangerously short.

Plus, Soumare should have a better campaign next season after spending 12 months adapting to life in England.

Meanwhile, Ray Parlour has given his ‘ideal’ signing for Arsenal – and it isn’t good news for Leicester fans.