Leicester City Set To Lose £17 Million Asset
According to reports, La Liga side Sevilla are keen to activate the option to buy clause in Boubakary Soumare’s contract after the Frenchman has impressed on loan from Leicester City.
The midfielder was one of many players who left the King Power Stadium during the summer after the side were relegated from the Premier League, along with the likes of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, Jonny Evans, and Caglar Soyuncu, to name a few.
Soumare had a tricky start to life with the Andalusian club and didn’t feature much under Jose Luis Mendilibar. However, the manager was dismissed prior to the most recent international break.
His replacement, the former Uruguay boss Diego Alonso, has found a place in the team for the Leicester loanee, having started two consecutive games under the new head coach, staying on for the full 90 minutes in both matches.
Most recently, the former Lille man started in the middle of the park against Arsenal on Tuesday night. Although Sevilla lost 2-1 to the English giants, Soumare was arguably the best player on the pitch for the hosts.
Now, according to El Sevillista, the Spanish side are keen to sign the 24-year-old permanently after being left wholly impressed by his performances this past week. As per the terms of his loan deal, Los Nervionenses have the option to purchase Soumare for £13 million.
Leicester City bought Soumare from Lille two seasons ago for £17 million, as per Sky Sports, and so the Foxes would be taking a hit on the ex-PSG academy product should Sevilla buy the player outright.
Furthermore, The Daily Mail reported that Leicester turned down a £15 million bid in 2022 for Soumare from Ligue 1 side Monaco as the club were holding out for £23 million, but will now likely receive £10 million less.
Writer’s View
Soumare’s move to Leicester didn’t go as the player would have liked. However, joining Sevilla on a permanent basis would be a great transfer for him as he is still playing in a European competition in a top-five league.
The Foxes may feel hard done by given that they could have sold the Frenchman for £15 million a year ago and will now have to take a hit on his sale.
