Southampton are reportedly close to completing an intriguing signing ahead of the summer transfer window as they continue their push for a Championship play-off place.
The Saints have strengthened their position inside the top six thanks to an impressive eight-match unbeaten run in the league, which has included victories over Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.
Tonda Eckert’s side will also have a game in hand on several of their play-off rivals by the end of the weekend as they prepare to face Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday.
A win at Craven Cottage against Marco Silva’s team would see Southampton progress to the quarter-finals, although their main focus remains securing a play-off spot and earning a swift return to the Premier League.
Reports claim Southampton are set to finalise a deal for highly rated Mali Under-17 midfielder Issa Tounkara. According to Africa Foot, the youngster has already travelled to England and completed a medical ahead of his expected move to St Mary’s, which could be officially confirmed next week.
The report suggests the transfer fee will be around €1.2 million. Tounkara has even earned the nickname “Idrissa Gana Gueye” in reference to the Everton and Senegal midfielder due to similarities in his playing style.
Initially, the 17-year-old is expected to feature for Southampton’s reserve side while gradually integrating with the first-team squad through training sessions as he adapts to English football.
Tounkara played a key role for Mali during the 2025 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, helping the nation reach the tournament’s final for the fourth time in its history.
The teenager currently plays for Malian side Academie des Etoiles du Mande, meaning a move to England will represent a major step up in competition.
Meanwhile, Southampton remain focused on their promotion bid and will aim to secure a third consecutive Championship win when they face relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on March 11.
The Saints have a challenging schedule ahead, with league leaders Coventry City, in-form Norwich City, and struggling Oxford United all coming up later in March.
They will then face promotion rivals Ipswich Town and Wrexham over the Easter weekend, fixtures that could prove decisive in their play-off ambitions.
For Tounkara, however, remaining in the Championship next season may actually benefit his development more than a promotion push. As a young defensive midfielder, he is unlikely to immediately displace established players such as Shea Charles in Eckert’s starting lineup.
Although some Southampton supporters may question whether the teenager can adapt quickly after arriving from Academie des Etoiles du Mande, his performances at youth international level suggest he could turn out to be a promising hidden gem for the club.
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