Man City beat Newcastle to Isaak Toure transfer, with plan immediately set out

Manchester City appear to have beaten off French competition for defender Isaak Toure, who could spend next season in Ligue 1 anyway.

Toure is a teenage centre-back who currently plays for Le Havre in Ligue 2. He made 17 appearances for them last season, as they finished eighth in the French second tier. In the process, he may have earned himself a brighter future.

The 6’7″ defender has recently been suggested as a target for Newcastle United. However, they have been aware of competition from within the player’s native France.

Now, confirmation has arrived of some of the clubs looking to keep Toure in his homeland. But in the process, it has emerged that Newcastle may actually be beaten to the punch by a Premier League rival.

According to L’Equipe, Manchester City are closing in on a deal to acquire Toure. Despite interest from Lyon and Marseille, the 19-year-old has chosen City.

Having recently visited their training complex, Toure is ready to put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Premier League champions.

However, they will not have a place for him in their squad immediately. Instead, they are planning to loan him out to their sister club in France, Troyes.

It will still represent a step up for Toure; he will get to experience top-flight football in France for the first time in his career.

Further down the line, Manchester City will be hoping he could be capable of making an impact in their own ranks. But for now, his development will continue in France.

Still, the fact they are taking control of his future pathway is a reminder of their power in the transfer market – especially when Newcastle are trying to become as attractive a destination as them in the long-term.

Loaning Toure out immediately will be