Boubakary Soumare could still leave Lille this summer with Arsenal interested in a £43 million powerhouse who outclassed Matteo Guendouzi during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, according to FootMercato.
It has been a while since this ball-winning dynamo has made an appearance in the gossip columns.
But, with Arsenal no closer to signing Thomas Partey, Ibrahim Diallo or Morgan Sanson, reports linking the Gunners with a man likened by some to the legendary Patrick Vieira have reared their heads again.
Lille, of course, have no real need to sell.
One of Europe’s most impressive ‘stepping stone’ clubs have already cashed in on Victor Osimhen to Napoli, while star centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes looks set to be unveiled at the Emirates sooner rather than later.
But if Soumare makes it clear that he wants to leave after a season in which he established himself as one of the best young midfielders on the continent, Lille will surely listen to offers; especially as the 21-year-old is yet to extend a contract which runs until 2022.
BuzzSport reported back in November that Les Dogues were demanding £43 million, although it remains to be seen if the ongoing financial crisis means Soumare will be available for a reduced fee these days.
Arsenal will certainly be hoping that is the case, given that Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar and co are under pressure to build a more competitive squad on a budget that most Premier League giants would consider ‘shoestring’ at best.
Interestingly, a move to England could see Soumare replace his one-time PSG teammate, the out-of-favour Guendouzi, at the Emirates.
“In the class of 99, he was the one who had the most maturity in his game,” Soumare’s former PSG coach Sebastien Thierry told France Football of a man who ‘outclassed’ Guendouzi as a teenager.
“We felt a lot of desire. He was already very efficient technically. He had a lot of presence, personality, he shone. He was already ready.”
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