Rodgers eyes ‘best defender in French football’ but Villa rival Leicester for AFCON ace

Leicester City have been linked with a move for Metz defender Boubakar Kouyate but Aston Villa are also thought to be keen.

The 24-year-old joined Metz in August 2020 and is rated as one of the best central defenders in France. He made 25 Ligue 1 appearances in 2020-2021 and has been seen 15 times this term. Nicknamed ‘Kiki’, Kouyate has earned 14 caps for Mali and played in the current Africa Cup of Nations.

Mali finished top of their group with wins over Tunisia and Mauritania plus a draw against Gambia. However, they were eliminated at the last-16 stage by Equatorial Guinea following a penalty shootout.

The match ended goalless and Mohamed Magassouba’s side fell 6-5 on spot kicks. The tournament is a showcase for many African stars and Boubakar did his chances of a move to harm at all.

And it seems as though Foxes chief Brendan Rodgers has been a keen observer. A report by The Sun claims Leicester are looking for a loan deal at the moment.

However, Metz favour a permanent move away, with a price tag of £16m placed on the former Troyes ace. The report adds that the rangy stopper’s statistics make him the ‘best defender in French football’.

And that is why Steven Gerrard is also on the case for Aston Villa. There is interest from France, with Lyon said to be interested in the Bamako-born centre-half.

Metz are prepared to let him leave but, with his deal running until 2024, they are under no pressure to sell during the current window.

It remains to be seen if the Foxes can get a deal over the line for Kouyate before the window closes on Monday night. But they are hoping to secure a number of their current players on fresh contracts.

A report earlier this week claimed up to six stars could be handed new deals at King