Tuesday, 16th July, 2013
As the days tick down towards the awarding of his Belgian passport, Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate appears closer and closer to the exit door at the Brussels club, with Southampton and Newcastle leading the chase for his services.
Kouyate has been keen to move to England for some time, but the lack of an EU passport hindered the Senegalese defender, who could have struggled to obtain a UK work permit. Indeed, the defender could have joined Dynamo Kyiv this summer, but is holding on for England.
The centre-back, who was impressive for Senegal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has spoken openly about Arsene Wenger’s admiration for him and bemoaned his situation last summer stopping him joining Arsenal.
Now though Kouyate will get his English wish with, according to Belgian daily Derniere Heure, Southampton and Newcastle pushing to sign him.
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Anderlecht’s asking price of €7m could prove an issue though, with the defender commenting that "I do not think a Premier League club will pay this sum for me".
Kouyate’s current club would be delighted at a continued stay in Belgium for the 23-year-old.
However, the Dakar-born defender is keen to try his luck in England and would surely jump at the chance to make the move this summer.
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