GiveMeSport
·13 July 2022
GiveMeSport
·13 July 2022
Southampton have ‘distanced themselves’ from Manchester City defender Issa Kabore, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks following a successful loan spell at French outfit Troyes throughout 2021/22.
A recent report from The Sun claimed that the Saints had opened talks with City over the prospect of signing Kabore on a temporary basis after Nottingham Forest had seen a £17 million offer rejected.
If the Burkina Faso international did join Ralph hasenhuttl’s charges, then he would be the third player to arrive from the Cityzens this summer.
Midfielder Romeo Lavia and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu have already made the switch, while Joe Shields has been named as the club’s new head of senior recruitment.
Shields spent the past nine years at City, where he was most recently head of academy recruitment and talent management.
And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also stated that Southampton are ‘leading the race’ for Kabore, who predominantly operates at right-back.
Tino Livramento is currently sidelined with an ACL injury, while Kyle Walker-Peters has reportedly been attracting admiring glances from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Crook has informed GiveMeSport that Southampton are not interested in signing Kabore ‘at this stage’ after being asked if a deal for the youngster was a possibility.
He told GMS: “I’m told that isn’t at this stage. I think he may well end up going out on a permanent deal, maybe to France. I’ve spoken to sources at Southampton, and they’ve distanced themselves from him.”
Kabore provided two assists in 32 league and cup appearances for Troyes, who are part of the City Football Group, last season as they finished in a respectable 15th position in Ligue 1.
The 5 foot 11 ace also ranked in the 95th percentile for dribbles completed and the 90th for pressures amongst fellow full-backs over the last year, as per FBref.
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It’s evident, therefore, that the attack-minded full-back is capable of carrying the ball into the final third of the pitch on a regular basis while also harrying opponents into making mistakes when in possession.
Whether Southampton decide to raid Manchester City once again remains to be seen, but it seems they are focussing on other targets at this moment in time.