LEICESTER are reportedly ‘confident’ of beating Manchester United and Tottenham to the signature of Boubakary Soumare.
The Frenchman, 22, has been a key part of Lille’s title bid with the Ligue 1 leaders three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain.
Having made a name for himself at Stade Pierre-Mauroy after leaving PSG as a youngster, he has aroused the interest of several teams.
Newcastle failed with a £35million bid for Soumare in the January of last year.
And Premier League outfit Leicester are the latest to make their interest known with just over a year left on his contract.
According to the Star, the Foxes are hunting down a deal worth around £30m.
Bolstering the side for Champions League football will be a priority for Brendan Rodgers’ side, if they qualify for the competition.
Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham left the team on the brink of losing their top-four spot, with similarities to last season’s collapse.
Soumare, who has over 100 appearances for Lille and 12 for France Under-21s, is also said to be catching the eye of United and Spurs.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be preparing for a busy summer window with a new centre-back and striker hotly tipped to be arriving.
While Jose Mourinho have been linked with a surprise move for Marouane Fellaini amid their hunt for a midfielder.
Soumare rejected a move out of Lille in January and boss Christophe Galtier praised how the player has dealt with speculation over his future.
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The 54-year-old said in February: “At every transfer window, we talk about him.
“I know that he was in demand this winter, but he was very clear with the president, he wants to continue with us.
“The competition, the transfer window, the situation has not always been easy for him, but I think he has greater clarity in his mind.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
