Hammarby have slapped a £10million price tag on top talent Bazoumana Toure as they look to warn off potential suitors, including Celtic.
Reports in Sweden claim the Premiership champions are preparing to make an offer for the 18-year-old after sending scout Jay Lefevre to watch the Ivory Coast Under 20s star and he was impressed with his performances. However, Hammarby’s sports manager Mikael Hjelmberg expects Toure – who has also been linked with English Premier League outfit Brighton – to become his club and country’s record transfer sale, IF he is sold during the January window.
He said: “Of course, that’s definitely the ambition. There are many clubs who ask about him and there are many clubs who are curious about what it would cost to buy him. But we have been quite clear about what we think – and that may also be why nothing concrete has come yet. I’ve told Bazou and his representatives that if we’re going to sell this winter, it should be for a Swedish record.”
Toure – who is under a long-term contract for another three years – made 23 starts for Hammarby in the Swedish top flight and chipped in with eight goals. He joined the Stockholm club less than a year ago from homeland outfit ASEC Mimosas for £300,000.
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can also follow our dedicated Rangers and Celtic podcast pages and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We’ve also entered the world of WhatsApp with our Rangers community and Celtic community up and running. Follow NOW to get your club’s latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone.