Man City defender set for transfer as clubs show late interest

Manchester City are working on a number of exits in the final days of the summer transfer window

Issa Kabore in 2024

A number of clubs have enquired about signing Manchester City defender Issa Kabore in the final days of the transfer window. Kabore, who joined the Blues back in 2020 but has not played a senior game, is set to depart again with several offers to choose from.

Ipswich and Leicester have enquired from the Championship, as well as Bundesliga side Hamburg and French side Paris FC. Most of the offers have been loans, with either options or obligations to buy inserted into the deal.

Kabore had a year of Premier League football two seasons ago as he played for Luton Town upon their promotion to the top flight. A loan move to Benfica last year did not work out, although he had more joy in the second half of the campaign at Werder Bremen.

The 24-year-old right back has not been considered as part of Pep Guardiola's plans in Manchester, and did not travel with the first team to the Club World Cup. The expectation has been that he will leave either permanently or on loan again this season, and several clubs have shown interest as the window reaches its end.

Kabore's exit will form part of a busy week for departures at City, with Guardiola calling for a smaller squad after describing the current situation as 'unhealthy' following their opening Premier League game. The Blues currently have two too many non-homegrown players to register in their Champions League squad, meaning some senior players could be left out if they do not move on.

"Too much. Too many people, too many players," the manager said this month. "It’s not about Eddy. Today there was Rodri and Phil [Foden] out, Kovacic is injured but will be back and Savinho and Josko are out. On the bench we had Nathan and Gundo.

"I like a deep squad to compete in all competitions but I don’t want to leave players at home. I don't want it. It’s not healthy.

"You cannot create a good vibe or atmosphere to compete. Everyone has to feel they can play and can help and compete with their mate for the opponents. The club has known it since last season so it's not news but the situation is what it is.

"In the next two weeks, people will talk with players and agents to find a solution."

Stefan Ortega is expected to be one of the departures after being told he could leave in the wake of James Trafford signing, but there are also doubts over Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, Manu Akanji and Savinho from the first team squad.

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