Report: Leicester City May Finally Sell Overlooked Player Praised by Ian Wright as ‘So Good’ Last Season
Steve Cooper will focus on Leicester City's future players but might approve the sale of a player whose time at the club hasn't worked out.
After a positive start to pre-season, Leicester City has now suffered consecutive defeats against Palermo and Augsburg, raising concerns for Steve Cooper so close to the new season.
Adding to these worries, Jamie Vardy has not played since the first friendly against Villarreal and is expected to miss at least the opening game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in a fortnight.
Leicester’s financial constraints suggested a fire-sale this summer, but the £30 million departure of star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea appears sufficient to ensure compliance with Premier League spending rules. This sale has allowed Cooper to welcome four new signings.
However, it now seems that another Leicester player might secure a permanent move away from the club.
Roma Interested in Signing Leicester City Midfielder Boubakary Soumare
Leicester City invested £17 million to sign midfielder Boubakary Soumare from Lille in the summer of 2021, a move considered a smart acquisition for one of Europe’s promising young talents.
However, Soumare has not lived up to expectations in his 59 appearances at the King Power Stadium and spent last season on loan at Sevilla.
Despite cementing a spot in Sevilla’s starting lineup and performing well, the Spanish club did not exercise their option to buy Soumare for around £12.8 million this summer, leaving the player in limbo.
After showing promise early in pre-season, hopes for a Leicester career revival seem slim. Reports now suggest Leicester may find a permanent suitor for Soumare to end his challenging spell in England.
According to Italian newspaper Il Tempo, AS Roma has ‘started contact’ with Soumare’s entourage to evaluate the possibility of a deal.
Soumare’s Leicester City Exit Best for All Parties
Soumare is undoubtedly a talented player but has struggled to showcase his abilities regularly in a Leicester shirt. Notably, Soumare impressed former Arsenal striker Ian Wright during Sevilla’s Champions League match against Arsenal.
Despite Arsenal winning 2-1, Wright praised Soumare’s performance, saying on the Wrighty’s House podcast, “The way we played… their midfield. I’ve to say Boubakary Soumare, on loan from Leicester, I thought he was so good.
He really stifled Martin Odegaard. He looked like a different player in the way he was playing.”
Soumare’s loan spell has generated interest in his services, and if Leicester receives a substantial offer, they are likely to accept it.
The incoming funds would enable Cooper to reinvest in his squad, which urgently needs reinforcements before the season begins.
