SAINTS have reportedly contacted Manchester City over right-back Issa Kabore, who is attracting interest in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old defender is a seasoned 27-cap Burkina Faso international and won the Africa Cup of Nations young player of the tournament earlier this year.

Kabore helped his side to the semi-finals of the competition, before they lost on penalties to Cameroon in the third-place match.

At the end of the season, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo of his intention to search the market for full-back cover in the wake of Tino Livramento’s surgery.

The 19-year-old summer arrival has returned to Staplewood for his rehab after an ACL injury, but could still be sidelined for the rest of 2022.

“Now one is injured for a long time, we do something this summer on this position, this is also clear,” the Austrian said.

The Guardian have reported Saints have contacted Manchester City about the starlet, whom they declare Nottingham Forest have already been in talks with the Citizens to sign.

The report adds that the newly-promoted Premier League rivals have not reached any agreement for Kabore.

Saints have already raided City for 20-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, and could yet bring in 18-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia this window.

Under Sport Republic, Martin Semmens and Hasenhuttl are continuing to pursue the policy of signing the best young players they can find available.

Kabore has been out on loan at French Ligue 1 side Troyes for the past season, making 32 appearances in all competitions. He has not yet made a senior appearance for Pep Guardiola.

Initially spending his youth career at Burkina Faso outfit Rahimo FC, the flying full-back also impressed in Belgium with KV Mechelen.

Kabore is under contract at City until 2025 but, as seen with other deals completed by Saints, big clubs are often willing to negotiate a reasonable fee for the talents with the right clauses.

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