Toulouse FC lead race to sign rising Ivorian midfielder Rodolphe Ekou

Toulouse FC are understood to be in the strongest position to sign Ivorian midfielder Rodolphe Ekou, whose rapid rise since joining FK Liepaja has attracted growing attention across Europe.

The 20-year-old moved to the Latvian side last January and has since established himself as a key figure in their midfield.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, with clubs in Poland, Belgium and Switzerland all monitoring his development, although Toulouse are currently regarded as the leading contenders for his signature.

Ekou’s progress in such a short period has been striking. Since arriving at FK Liepaja, he has become a regular starter and has been described as the team’s midfield organiser, controlling the tempo of play in the Courland-based side. In the Virsliga, he has featured in 15 matches, starting each one and scoring once.

His growing reputation was further strengthened on the international stage after being called up to the Ivory Coast U23 squad for the 2026 Maurice Revello Tournament.

There, he delivered promising performances that underlined his technical ability and composure in midfield.

The increasing interest in Ekou is seen as a reflection of his consistent development since moving to Latvia. His ability to adapt quickly to European football has made him one of the more closely watched young midfielders outside the continent’s top five leagues.

A potential move to Toulouse would represent a significant step forward in his career. A switch to Ligue 1 would provide him with a higher level of competition and the opportunity to further refine his game in one of Europe’s top divisions.

However, any transfer will require negotiation with FK Liepaja, as Ekou remains under contract until 2028, with an additional option year included in his deal. That long-term agreement gives the Latvian club a strong position in any discussions.

For now, Toulouse remain at the front of the queue as interest continues to build around a midfielder whose stock is rising steadily across the European transfer market.