Woyo Coulibaly’s strong Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Mali has intensified interest from several European clubs, placing the Leicester City defender at the centre of a developing transfer battle.
The 26-year-old right-back, contracted to Leicester until 2029, enhanced his reputation during the 2025 continental tournament, where his performances were widely noted.
Since then, scouts from multiple clubs have been tracking his situation, with Real Sociedad, SSC Napoli, VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique de Marseille all monitoring his progress.
Coulibaly is currently on loan at US Sassuolo, where the deal does not include an option to buy. Despite that, he has established himself as a regular presence in Serie A, making 10 league appearances this season.
His adaptation to Italian football has impressed coaching staff, and his consistency has strengthened his case for a longer stay.
Sassuolo manager Fabio Grosso is understood to be advocating for a permanent move, having been convinced by the defender’s contribution on and off the pitch.
Club officials have reportedly prepared an offer and opened early discussions with Leicester City in an effort to secure his services beyond the loan period.
Coulibaly joined Leicester City in January 2025 from Parma Calcio 1913 for a reported fee between €3m and €4m.
Since then, his market profile has evolved alongside his performances, with his current valuation estimated at around €2m.
The coming months are expected to determine whether Sassuolo can convert their interest into a permanent transfer or if competition from across Europe reshapes the defender’s next move.
With multiple clubs circling, Coulibaly’s future now appears closely tied to how negotiations unfold and whether Leicester opt to cash in or retain a player whose reputation continues to grow.
