Southampton have moved decisively in the transfer market by submitting a formal €1m bid for highly rated Malian youngster Issa Tounkara, signalling strong intent to secure one of Africa’s most promising youth midfielders.
The Premier League club have made their offer to the Académie des Étoiles du Mandé, where the 17-year-old has developed into a standout prospect.
According to sources, Southampton are now leading the race for the Mali Under-17 captain, whose performances at the most recent U17 Africa Cup of Nations have drawn attention well beyond the continent.
Tounkara, born in 2008, captained Mali to the final of that tournament, establishing himself as a central figure in midfield.
Operating as a box-to-box player, he impressed observers with his ability to balance defensive discipline and forward momentum, attributes that have made him a target for several clubs monitoring elite youth competitions.
Southampton’s proposal, valued at €1m, represents a significant investment in a player yet to sign his first professional contract.
The offer underlines the club’s continued focus on recruiting young talent with long-term potential, particularly from emerging football markets.
Sources indicate that the Malian academy has already given its approval to the move, clearing a major hurdle in the process.
With the academy’s agreement in place, attention now turns to the player himself.
Tounkara is expected to travel to England in the coming days to complete the next steps of the transfer, including formalising terms and signing his first professional deal.
The move would mark his first experience outside Mali and a major milestone in his early career.
The interest surrounding Tounkara reflects a broader trend of European clubs increasing their presence in African youth football.
His leadership role with the national U17 side, combined with his performances in continental competition, has elevated his profile and accelerated discussions about his future.
For Southampton, securing the midfielder would add another highly regarded prospect to their development pathway.
The club’s willingness to act quickly appears to have placed them ahead of rival suitors, who had also been tracking the player following his international displays.
While the deal has not yet been finalised, all indications suggest momentum is building towards a move to England.
Should the transfer be completed, Issa Tounkara would take his first steps into European football, carrying with him the expectations of a player viewed as one of Mali’s brightest young talents.
