Manchester City step up interest in next Paul Pogba

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has identified Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare as Yaya Toure’s long-term replacement, according to The Sun.

Guardiola sent City chief Brian Marwood to watch the 18-year-old during Lille’s 2-1 home defeat to Rennes on Wednesday where the teenager played the full 90 minutes.

Soumare, who came through Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy, has only started three Ligue 1 matches this season but has already attracted interest from Everton and Leicester.

City are keen to fend off interest from their Premier League rivals and snap up the £25m-rated France U19 international, who has been dubbed the next Paul Pogba.

The runaway Premier League leaders are already in talks with Ukranian giants Shakhtar Donetsk about the signature of Fred and Guardiola also wants to add Soumare to his midfield for the years to come.

Of the 43 teenagers that have featured in more than five matches in Europe’s top five leagues this season, only Nice defender Malang Sarr (75.7) averages more passes per 90 than Soumare (65.7).