Transfer Centre

Leicester 'reject £15m Monaco offer for Boubakary Soumare'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 20 July 2022

Leicester 'reject £15m Monaco offer for Soumare'

Leicester City reportedly reject an offer from Monaco for midfielder Boubakary Soumare, who only moved to the King Power Stadium last summer.

Leicester City have reportedly turned down a £15m offer from Monaco for Boubakary Soumare.

In recent days, it has been well documented that the Foxes are now one of just two clubs from European football's top five leagues who have not made a first-team signing this summer.

A report in The Athletic says that manager Brendan Rodgers has been hindered by a lack of interest in any of his players, even with 10 of them being out of contract in 2023.

Furthermore, Leicester have failed to attract a suitable offer for key man Youri Tielemans, who had been tipped to depart the King Power Stadium before the start of next season.

Despite there being a need to either raise funds or reduce numbers in the first-team squad, the Daily Mail says that Leicester have rejected the chance to cash in on Soumare.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers on April 2, 2022 © Reuters

Last summer, the East Midlands outfit appeared to have pulled off a huge coup by signing the Lille player for a fee in the region of £23m.

However, the 23-year-old failed to establish himself in Rodgers's midfield, making just 12 starts and seven substitute outings in the Premier League.

Although 11 more appearances came in other competitions, Soumare did not live up to his price-tag during his first year at the club.

The report suggests that Monaco have attempted to take advantage of the situation by trying to sign a player who is proven in Ligue 1 for a cut-price fee.

Monaco coach Philippe Clement during the match on March 17, 2022 © Reuters

Nevertheless, it appears that Leicester have little interest in making a substantial loss on Soumare, who still has four years left on his contract.

With six weeks still remaining in the transfer window, Monaco may be prepared to return with a bigger offer having already sold Aurelien Tchouameni.

As it stands, last season's third-placed side are yet to sign a direct replacement, instead using some of the funds generated from the Tchouameni sale on Takumi Minamino and Breel Embolo.

Head coach Philippe Clement will want a fresh face signed before Monaco compete in the Champions League qualifying rounds during August.