Manchester City are strolling their way to the league title this season but Pep Guardiola is constantly looking to improve his squad, to try and establish a legacy for years to come in England. The squad at the Etihad is easily one of the best in the country but the Spaniard is convinced that they need a few more additions, to reach their goals.
This has seen the club linked with some of the finest stars, some established and some young, for a move this January and one such player, exciting many Manchester City fans is Boubakary Soumare.
Manchester City Expected To Make A Bid
According to reports from Sky Sports, Manchester City are one of many clubs interested in the Ligue 1 sensation and are set to make an official approach for his signature in the coming days. It is reported that the Citizens were one of many clubs that were watching him during his game against Rennes last week.
The likes of Everton and Leicester City are also interested in his services but City are now ready to meet his £35m valuation, to bring him to England before the deadline day. Lille, his parent club, has to sell to meet the FFP valuations and it is understood that they are ready to sell him this month and keep him on loan until the end of the season.
Who Is Soumare?
A product of the academy at PSG, the 18-year old broke into the junior side at the French capital last season but managed just eight games, before moving on to Lille. He broke into the first team straight away this season, having already notched up 7 Ligue 1 appearances to date.
A tall and athletic midfielder, who is showing maturity beyond his age in the French top tier, Soumare is a confident midfielder, who loves to assert himself on the game. He loves to be in the thick of the things, working his heart off at both ends of the field. He can put in crunch tackles that win the ball back for his side in dangerous areas and is also adept at breaking down defences around the other box.
He has decent pace, technique and vision but what makes him dangerous is his acute understanding of the game and his ability to make the right decision, more often than not, at such a tender age. His defensive side of the game is up there with the best at his age in Europe but his finishing and the final ball needs a bit of improvement.
What Does He Bring To Manchester?
The 18-year old is compared to Manchester City star Yaya Toure, who is out of a contract at the end of the season. Pep Guardiola likes players with a separate skill set and if he has seen the same in Soumare, Manchester City should do everything they can to land him this month.
His valuation might be over the odds for a teenager but his potential and quality along with experience and technical ability make him a long-term replacement for the Ivory Coast midfielder. But do you think Soumare can be effective in England?