German outfit RB Leipzig have reportedly struck a deal to sign Paris Saint-German youth star Tanguy Kouassi, whom they are believed to see as a long-term replacement for Dayot Upamecano.
Kouassi, 17, has made three senior appearances for PSG this season but has a contract that’s due to expire in June 2020, at which point it now appears he’ll leave for the Bundesliga.
Le Parisien (h/t Get French Football News) reported the centre-back agreed to join Leipzig “weeks ago” and was recently in Germany to take a tour of the club’s facilities.
If Kouassi completes the move, he’ll become the latest youngster to swap Paris for the Red Bull Arena. Leipzig signed midfield starlet Christopher Nkunku from PSG this past summer, while forward Jean-Kevin Augustin made the move from the Parc des Princes in 2017 (though he’s since been loaned back to Monaco).
The German club have also had success with centre-back Ibrahima Konate and right-back Nordi Mukiele, who joined Leipzig from Ligue 1 clubs Sochaux and Montpellier, respectively.
It’s reported Kouassi has been sold a project based on quick first-team development in Leipzig, with the teenager potentially taking Upamecano’s spot in defence if the Arsenal target is allowed to leave, per Football.London.
The central defender has already made five appearances for France under-18s and was a part of the France squad that finished third at the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in November.
