Lille boss unsure over Soumare 'situation' amid Premier League links

Lille manager Christophe Galtier admits he is unsure over the ‘situation’ of Boubakary Soumare, amid continued speculation linking the midfielder with a move away from the club.

Soumare has attracted interest from the Premier League and across Europe following a series of impressive performances for the French side this season, with Manchester United and Chelsea amongst a host of clubs linked with a move to sign the highly-rated youngster this month.

Reports had suggested that Lille would allow the 20-year-old to depart this month should they receive a suitable offer, though Soumare moved to dismiss the speculation earlier in the window by claiming a January move was ‘not on the cards’.

With less than a week remaining until the deadline, Galtier admits he is unsure on whether Soumare will still be a Lille player for the second half of the season, but says the prospect is fully focused on this weekend’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain as the club seek to continue their push for Champions League qualification.

Asked if Sunday’s clash against PSG could be the midfielder’s final outing for the club, Galtier replied: “I don’t know. About Bouba Soumare, I don’t know.

“No-one’s told me anything about his situation, maybe it won’t. I don’t know.

“He wants to play and fight with the other players to win on Sunday. That’s certain.”

Manchester United’s bizarre transfer strategy holding up Bruno Fernandes deal

See also – Largest title winning margins in Premier League history