For Rangers and Celtic fans, the name Kiki Kouyaté is likely to mean very little.
The Mali international is currently plying his trade in Ligue 2 in France with Troyes after a free transfer move from Sporting CP’s U23, where he has mostly been a regular fixture, starting 16 games from a possible 28, scoring five goals along the way.
The towering centre-back has caught the eye with his performances, and a number of clubs, including both Rangers and Celtic, are keen on his services.
France Football on Friday name the Scottish duo as well as Lens, Eintracht Frankfurt and Schalke 04, who will be losing Jean-Clair Todibo this summer.
Lens made the first move, but Troyes’ demands of €4.5m have put them off so far, with the recently promoted side only capable of reaching €3m.
That leaves the way open for Celtic and Rangers, potentially ideal landing spots for Kouyaté, who has a preference to play in England down the line.
Starring at either Parkhead or Ibrox would likely allow him to later on move to the Premier League, and both clubs have started making moves to bring him to Scotland.
France Football say Steven Gerrard himself has ‘shown his interest’ in the Malian centre-back, but explain it’s the Bhoys who ‘appear to be pressing the most’ to sign the Troyes defender.
That means there’s hope for the Ligue 2 side they’ll be able to get the €5m they want, especially if a small bidding war were to take place between the Old Firm.
