Southampton Emerge As Leading Contenders For Manchester City Defender This Summer

During the 2021/22 season, various Manchester City youngsters showcased impressive showings last term.

At Portsmouth, Gavin Bazunu emerged as one of League One’s stand-out shotstoppers and justified the claim that he remains one of the best young goalkeepers in the world.

Similarly, Callum Doyle drew comparisons to a young Aymeric Laporte, after making a serious impression during his time at Sunderland.

Yan Couto justified the hype around his name by cementing his place as a mainstay in the Braga backline, to the extent that the Portuguese club have been keen on another season-long loan next term.

In addition, the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle bounced back from disappointing loan stints to silence their critics at Stoke and Cardiff City in the Championship respectively.

Another name that can be added to this list is Issa Kabore.

Heading out on loan to Manchester City’s sister club ESTAC Troyes last term, the 21 year-old was imperious from the minute he stepped onto the pitch.

So much so that many claimed that the youngster staked a claim for being one of Ligue 1’s stand-out right-backs in the previous campaign.

The highly-rated defender turned heads with his displays for Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations as well, recognised as the Best Young Player at the tournament.

Nottingham Forest certainly bank on his talent as they lodged a £17 million bid to sign the Burkinabe starlet, which was eventually rejected by Etihad Stadium officials.

However, another Premier League side are eyeing his signature next season, but on a temporary basis.

As per the latest information provided by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Southampton have now opened talks to sign Issa Kabore on loan from Manchester City next season.

Further details suggest that while the player is attracting a ton of interest in England, the Saints are leading the race to land him this summer.

With the Sky Blues’ now-former Head of Recruitment Joe Shields joining Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side to become their Head of Recruitment, Romeo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu have joined the club on a permanent basis.

Additionally, it has also been reported that the side hailing from the South Coast are keen on sealing a permanent deal for Liam Delap as well.

However, the Premier League champions’ rejection of Nottingham Forest’s bid for Kabore indicates that he is in their plans for the future.

With Kyle Walker turning 32 years-old this year, it is possible that the club eye the prodigious talent as their first-team right-back one day.

Much like in the cases of Tommy Doyle and Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ loan moves to Sheffield United and Burnley next term, Issa Kabore could get another taste of senior football by heading out on loan to Southampton.

Getting regular Premier League minutes at such a young age could accelerate the young starlet's development, which remains one major positive about the potential loan switch to St. Mary’s.