Leicester City confirm Boubakary Soumare’s departure, as the midfielder joins a Champions League club.
Since Enzo Maresca joined the club, the French midfielder has not even made the bench in a competitive game, and he is now leaving to play Champions League football with Europa League winners. Sevilla
Boubakary Soumare has left Leicester City for Sevilla on a season-long loan with a purchase option.
Since Enzo Maresca arrived at the King Power Stadium, the French midfielder has not been included in a single matchday squad, much alone received any playing time.
But, with just three hours until the transfer window closes, he has negotiated a move, joining Spanish side Sevilla for the remainder of the season, but perhaps for longer if they opt to exercise a buy clause in the agreement.
Earlier on deadline day, it was reported that Sevilla had made room in their squad for Soumare by terminating Papu Gomez’s contract, and after a medical, the Frenchman was able to join the La Liga side, who will compete in the Champions League this season after winning the Europa League last season.
Soumare has had a rough two years at City. He joined from French champions Lille in a £17 million transfer two years ago, but struggled to settle in his debut season in England, appearing just occasionally.
Last summer, it appeared that City would cut their losses on him, but he stated that he wanted to prove himself at the club, and he did ultimately have a run of games in the team in the autumn, during which he began to look solid.
He was on the sidelines again after the World Cup until Dean Smith came in and offered him another chance. But, while there were glimpses of a fantastic midfielder who blended technical brilliance with muscle and quickness, there were far too many concentration lapses.
He has appeared in 59 games for City in all, and if the buy clause is not used, he will return to the club next summer, when he will have two years left on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
