Southampton have reportedly opened talks with Manchester City over a summer move for 21-year-old defender Issa Kabore.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Southampton are currently the front-runner in the race to sign Manchester City prospect Issa Kabore. The 21-year-old right-back excelled while on loan at Troyes in France last season, garnering the attention of a number of clubs.
With competition for places at the Etihad Stadium fiercer than ever, the Premier League champions have already started to offload a good chunk of young prospects to clear the table for fresh recruits. One club that has benefited greatly from this new Manchester City approach is Southampton.
The Saints have already raided the Citizens’ youth ranks to capture goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and midfielder Romeo Lavia for £12 million and £10.5 million, respectively. Now, they are interested in signing another Manchester City player, having initiated contact with Manchester City over Issa Kabore in the last few days.
Kabore joined the Premier League champions from Belgian outfit KV Mechelen in 2020 but has never made an appearance for Manchester City yet and likely never will if he is set to leave the club. The 21-year-old was loaned back to Mechelen in his first season and subsequently sent out to Troyes last season.
Southampton have now opened talks to sign Issa Kaboré on loan from Man City. He’s attracting lot of interest, Nottingham Forest had £17m bid turned down – Saints now leading the race ⚪️? #SaintsFC
Talks ongoing – he’d follow Lavia and soon Joe Aribo at Southampton. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/CXfQUruB59
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2022
The right-back enjoyed a very productive season in France, making over 30 Ligue 1 appearances and displaying his attributes as an attacking full-back with good defensive sense as well as boasting a relentless pressing attitude. Needless to say, a host of clubs have come forward to express their interest in the Manchester City defender’s signature.
Nottingham Forest are believed to be keen on acquiring the young defender’s services next season following their promotion to the Premier League. The Tricky Trees have had a £17 million bid turned down for the full-back, but it is Southampton who appear to have stolen the march on their Premier League rivals.
So far this summer, Southampton’s exciting transfer activity has provided fans with a clear picture of what to anticipate from the new ownership. The risk is obvious; most of the Saints’ summer signings have zero Premier League experience heading into the 2022/23 campaign, which might backfire if they are embroiled in a relegation battle.
On the flip side, there are examples of players who have previously been a success and would be future economic assets for the club, including the likes of Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker-Peters and Mohammed Salisu. Kabore fits the bill and could follow Bazunu and Lavia in switching from Manchester City to Southampton, with a potential transfer continuing the club’s philosophy of putting faith in youth.
As for Manchester City, with Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo sharing the load at right-back, the Premier League champions could do well by selling Kabore to recoup a sizable fee, as they continue to balance their books consistently despite spending lavishly on new signings ahead of the next season.
