Leicester City are expected to sign Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare this summer, acting as an undoubted blow to Leeds United.

The Lowdown: Leicester keen on Soumare

Marcelo Bielsa is expected to add to his squad in the coming months, in order bring new quality to it and ensure the Whites go up another level next season.

Soumare is a player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road, having shone for Lille this season, making 30 appearances in Ligue 1.

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The Latest: Leicester set to swoop

Unfortunately, Leicester look set to swoop in ahead of Leeds, with ever-reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirming as much on Twitter:

"Leicester are set to complete Boubacary Soumare deal also with last details - final fee will be around €23m to Lille. The agreement is imminent, medicals pending. Soumaré has accepted to join Leicester since February."

The £20.7million-rated Soumare's current deal expires in 2022, meaning this is Lille's last chance to get a hefty fee for the 22-year-old.

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The Verdict: Undoubted blow for Leeds

Soumare is an extremely promising young defensive midfielder, so Leeds missing out on him has to be considered a blow.

Bielsa needs to sign someone who can battle Kalvin Phillips for regular starts, partly in order to give the Leeds star a rest from time to time and also to keep competition for places healthy.

Soumare's defensive qualities in that deep-lying role could have made him an ideal addition - he has averaged 1.4 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in Ligue 1 this season - but Leeds must now look elsewhere to sign a similar type of player as Soumare looks to be heading to the King Power Stadium.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to shine next season - find out who the individual in question is here.