Leicester City could be forced to rethink their January plans if Boubakary Soumare departs, with Marti Cifuentes admitting he has no clear idea what lies ahead for the French midfielder.
Speculation around Soumare’s future is growing after L’Equipe reported that Monaco are closely monitoring the 26-year-old, who has entered the final six months of his contract at the King Power Stadium. With this window representing Leicester’s last opportunity to command a transfer fee, uncertainty surrounds whether he will remain at the club.
Soumare has been sidelined since late November with a knee problem but is expected to be available again in time for next weekend’s M69 Derby. When fit, Cifuentes views him as part of a four-man group competing for two deeper midfield roles, alongside Oliver Skipp, Jordan James and Louis Page.
Leicester are already known to be targeting a striker, while Cifuentes is also keen to add an attacking midfielder following Aaron Ramsey’s latest setback. Should Soumare move on, recruiting another holding midfielder would become a priority, particularly with Harry Winks seemingly out of contention and also approaching the end of his contract.
Asked about Soumare’s situation, Cifuentes stressed that his immediate focus is on the player’s recovery rather than transfer talk. He explained that he cannot predict what will happen, but believes Soumare is an important player when fully fit. The Leicester boss added that Soumare is primarily seen as a number six, though he can also operate as an eight due to his mobility and technical quality.
Cifuentes also highlighted that Page offers cover in midfield, while Bobby De Cordova-Reid is currently the only option to fill the number ten role.
With Soumare unavailable, Skipp has started eight consecutive matches, while Winks has continued to be overlooked. Skipp could be in line for a rest when Leicester begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday with a third-round trip to Cheltenham. If that happens, Hamza Choudhury may step into midfield, although Cifuentes generally views the vice-captain as a full-back rather than a central option.