Manchester City 'set to win race for French teenager Isaak Toure'

Manchester City have reportedly emerged as the favourites to secure a deal for Le Havre defender Isaak Toure.

On the back of winning the Premier League on the final day of the season, Pep Guardiola is ready to welcome numerous new faces to the Etihad Stadium.

Erling Braut Haaland was confirmed as a Man City player on Monday, ending a drawn-out transfer saga involving the Borussia Dortmund forward, while Julian Alvarez will also arrive from River Plate later in the summer.

The North-West giants are also said to be prioritising a deal for Kalvin Phillips, an official proposal reportedly being put forward for the Leeds United midfielder.

However, according to the Daily Mail, City are also placing a certain amount of focus on bringing in players for the future with Toure said to be on the brink of a transfer to the club.

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The centre-back made 17 appearances for Le Havre this campaign, helping his club finish in eighth position in the Ligue 2 standings.

Having also earned six caps for France Under-19s, the development of the 19-year-old has naturally not gone unnoticed by some of the clubs in the top tier.

Nevertheless, it is claimed that City have beaten Marseille and Lyon in the race to sign Toure, who will pen a long-term contract.

The report adds that the intention is for Toure to be loaned out to Troyes - who are owned by City Football Group - for the 2022-23 campaign.

A relatively strong end to the campaign ensured that ESTAC successfully avoided relegation, an important achievement with City having shown in the past that they are willing to send some of their prospects to the club.

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Patrick Roberts spent the first half of this season at Stade l'Aube, while right-back Issa Kabore was provided with 31 appearances in Ligue 1.

The relationship between the two clubs has also led to Erik Palmer-Brown and Luka Ilic departing City for Troyes on permanent deals in recent months.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that City had another prospect on their radar in the form of Sporting Lisbon youngster Sana Fernandes.

However, should the English outfit win the race for the 16-year-old, the forward would spend time in City's academy ranks over being immediately loaned out elsewhere.