Boubakar ‘Kiki’ Kouyate wants to leave Ligue 2 outfit Metz after Vincent Kompany’s Burnley made a bid for the £10 million-rated central defender, as reported by L’Equipe.
All is not well at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.
Last week, Dylan Bronn left Metz for a fresh start in Serie A, joining Franck Ribery at Salernitana. Now, his former centre-back partner is hoping to find a way out too before September’s transfer deadline. Needless to say, Metz coach Laszlo Boloni could have done with avoiding such distractions as he looks to secure a return to Ligue 1 at the first time of asking.
According to The Sun, Burnley have already made a £2.5 million bid for Kouyate. Metz want closer to £10 million. Quite the gap. Clearly, both clubs are poles apart in their valuation of the 25-year-old, though Burnley hope that a new offer worth £5 million – with a substantial sell-on clause – can twist Metz’s arm.
Kouyate was not part of Metz’s squad for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Valenciennes. And that, according to coach Boloni, was his choice and his choice alone.
“The absence of Kouyate? It’s a player’s decision,” Boloni says.
Will Burnley sign Metz defender Boubakar ‘Kiki’ Kouyate
L’Equipe, meanwhile, say that Kouyate has been left dissatisfied by Metz’ decision to sell Bronn on the cheap. The prospect of a reunion in Italy – Salernitana are ready to battle Burnley for Kouyate’s signature – is likely to hold some appeal, especially after Metz lost their top-flight status following a dismal 2021/22 campaign.
There is also interest from Cremonese, Hellas Verona and Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Two-footed and a giant of a man at 6ft 4ins, Kouyate would add extra physicality and depth to a Burnley backline light on experience. Charle Taylor once again started in an unfamiliar central role during the 1-1 midweek draw with Hull City, and Kompany has admitted that he would consider bringing in a new centre-half this month.
Liverpool youngster Sepp Van den Berg is another name under consideration.
“All I can say is Sepp is a really good player,” Kompany explains. “But a key part of it is to find a balance between the players we’ve already got and the game time; Making sure that we’re strong enough.
“I can’t give you a straight answer because it’s not that straight. It’s just making sure we’re covered enough for the long run. But also making sure we’re not blocking anyone that is doing well.”
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