Newcastle United target Isaak Toure is reportedly set to join Manchester City.
The Magpies were recently linked with a move for the 19-year-old, but he appears set to link up with Pep Guardiola.
Foot Mercato claimed last month that Newcastle were prepared to pay almost £8million for the 6ft 9in centre-back. He’s been playing in France for Le Havre in the second tier.
The giant defender’s form prompted interest from the Magpies, but it also caught the eye of Manchester City. And that’s where he appears to be going.
He’ll be joining Erling Haaland in Manchester rather than following Matt Targett to Tyneside.
Isaak Toure set to join Manchester City
According to L’Equipe, Toure could sign a long-term deal with Man City in the coming days. The deal would see him loaned out to Troyes for a year.
Troyes are part of the City Group, a catalogue of clubs that are owned by the Manchester City owners. They have built up a sensational portfolio in recent years, purchasing teams all over the globe.
That’s something that the new Newcastle owners could replicate in the future. For now though, their focus is on the Magpies and the transfer window.
It’s been a frustrating start to the summer, with deals for Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike proving to be less than straightforward.
Toure was hardly a priority target, but he’s someone who won’t be joining Newcastle.
The report adds that Toure visited Manchester City’s training facilities recently and was impressed with what he saw.
That probably gave City an edge, as he wouldn’t have felt the same if he’d visited Newcastle’s training ground. It’s currently surrounded by diggers and builders, as work begins to improve the facility before pre-season.
While it’s disappointing to see Toure head to City over Newcastle, at least we were in the mix for one of Europe’s top teenage talents.
But if he does thrive at the Etihad in the future, he will be remembered as one that got away for the Toon.
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