City eye French youngster as Toure replacement
Premier League pacesetters Manchester City are thought to have turned their attention to France as they look for a long-term replacement for veteran midfielder Yaya Toure.
English publication 'The Dialy Mail' reports that Pep Guardiola and Co. are considering a move for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare as they look to strengthen their midfield this summer.
The middle of the park has been identified as an area that Guardiola would like to strengthen and it is thought he could sanction a move for the 18-year-old, who only joined Lille from PSG in the summer.
Lille are thought to be under pressure to sell players to avoid potential sanctions from the French FA, something that plays into City's hands.
The aforementioned source reports that Soumare first caught the eye playing in the UEFA Youth League, with City following up by sending scouts to watch him in first team action against Caen on Saturday.
At 6'2", Soumare would go some way to replacing the physical presence that City would lose when Toure leaves the club, with the Ivorian expected to head for pastures new when his contract expires at the end of the season.