Four clubs in late transfer window battle for Manchester City right-back | OneFootball

Manchester City face holding a late transfer window battle for one of their highly-rated right-back profiles, according to fresh reporting.

Kabore has been on the fringes of the Manchester City first-team setup since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2020, with his pathway largely centred around loan opportunities across Europe.

The 24-year-old has developed experience in Ligue 1, the Premier League and most recently the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen last season, but has yet to convince Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff that he can become a long-term fixture in the squad.

His situation mirrors a number of players within City’s wider roster this summer, with Etihad officials willing to sanction exits for those struggling to break into the senior fold. A similar approach was seen with James McAtee, who completed permanent exit to Nottingham Forest, and Jack Grealish, who secured a loan switch to Everton.

The Burkina Faso international’s future has been the subject of steady speculation throughout the window, with Southampton and Lyon both previously linked in recent weeks. German side Hamburg were also namechecked as an earlier suitor before cooling their pursuit, although their position now appears to have shifted once again.

According to the information of journalist Ben Jacobs, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Hamburger SV and Paris FC are all showing late-window interest in Manchester City right-back Issa Kabore.

From the side of Manchester City and their stance regarding the right-back, it is detailed that the Premier League giants would prefer to sell the player on a permanent agreement this summer, but remain open to the idea of a loan switch.

What happens next may hinge on the level of financial commitment Manchester City are able to extract from the market. While Southampton were earlier reported to prefer exploring a loan arrangement, the club hierarchy at the Etihad Stadium would ideally prefer a permanent sale.

Additional reporting from the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski has detailed that most of the offers received by City for Kabore have so far been loans, with either options or obligations to buy inserted.

Should Leicester or Ipswich formalise their interest with a bid, Manchester City may be tempted to accelerate the process. There also remains the possibility that Kabore could move abroad, with Paris FC’s entry into the race adding another dimension to negotiations.

Lyon’s interest suggests the player continues to carry significant reputation in France, and a return to Ligue 1 could suit all parties if a suitable deal emerges. With the transfer deadline approaching, Manchester City’s stance could yet soften.

The coming days may therefore prove decisive in determining whether Kabore remains tied to the club through another loan cycle, or whether this summer finally marks a permanent break in his Manchester City chapter.