Monaco and Lyon Could Target Premier League Midfielder This Summer

As Leicester City come to terms with another drop to the Championship, midfielder Boubakary Soumare has emerged as a potential transfer bargain for clubs across Europe.

French outlet RMC Sport reports that the 26-year-old is being closely monitored, particularly in Ligue 1, where Monaco and Lyon are said to be keen on reigniting their previous interest.

With just a year left on his contract and Leicester facing the financial consequences of relegation, Soumare’s departure this summer appears increasingly likely. According to RMC, the midfielder’s representatives are already actively exploring potential destinations.

Soumare has enjoyed a more prominent role under Ruud van Nistelrooy, featuring in 22 Premier League matches this season—his highest tally in a single campaign since arriving at the King Power Stadium. He initially made a name for himself with powerful, surging runs from midfield and an ability to link play in the final third. Though those moments have become less frequent, he remains one of the few consistent names on the teamsheet.

This is not the first time the Frenchman has left Leicester following a relegation. In 2023, after their first fall from the top flight, he secured a loan to Sevilla and impressed in La Liga. With the club now relegated again and the squad set for a major overhaul, Soumare is widely expected to be among the headline departures—and this time, on a permanent basis.

After starting this campaign on the fringes, Soumare gradually worked his way into the first team. A dip in form mid-season saw his influence wane slightly, but with Harry Winks out of favour and Oliver Skipp unable to seize the opportunity, Soumare retained his spot in central midfield through the final weeks of the campaign.

The upcoming window is expected to mirror the mass exodus of 2023, when 13 senior players moved on. For interested parties, Soumare represents both a proven talent and a low-cost gamble—qualities that will appeal to clubs aiming to strengthen smartly without breaking the bank.

Site Opinion

Soumare’s situation is a textbook case of the chaos that follows relegation. Once seen as a marquee signing from Lille, he’s yet to truly fulfil that potential in English football. However, his flashes of quality, combined with a palatable price tag, make him an intriguing proposition. At 26, he’s entering the prime of his career and could still deliver the promise that brought him to the Premier League in the first place.

For Leicester, his likely departure underscores the scale of the rebuild that lies ahead. With Van Nistelrooy now in charge, the Foxes must decide whether to pivot toward youth, experience, or a blend of both. What’s certain is that players like Soumare—talented but not indispensable—will be at the centre of the club’s transfer activity this summer. It’s now a race against time to find the right buyers, the right replacements, and the right direction.


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