Toulouse in Advanced Talks to Bring Malick Yalcouyé on Loan From Brighton

Toulouse FC are talking to Brighton & Hove Albion to sign 19-year-old midfielder Malick Yalcouyé on loan. The young Ivorian wants to move to Toulouse to play more often.

WHAT HAPPENED

Toulouse and Brighton are discussing a loan for Malick Yalcouyé, a rising star at Brighton. Yalcouyé joined the club from IFK Göteborg in July 2024 for £7.6 million. Last season, he was loaned to Sturm Graz in Austria, where he played 36 matches, scored four goals, and made two assists. He won the Austrian Bundesliga Newcomer of the Year award for his performances and attracted interest from a host of European clubs, including several sides in the Bundesliga and fellow former Premier League team Ipswich Town. However, it is Toulouse that are leading the race to secure his services, with the Ligue 1 side hopeful of finalising a deal soon.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Toulouse finished 10th in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season and are looking to strengthen their midfield. The club have brought in Saul Abdulhamid and Santiago Hidalgo already this summer, and the arrival of Yalcouyé would add energy and creativity to their midfield. For Brighton, Yalcouyé’s path to first-team football is blocked by the presence of established midfielders such as Carlos Baleba. A loan to Ligue 1 would offer the Ivorian valuable top-flight experience and allow him to continue his development.

WHAT NEXT?

Toulouse are preparing for the new Ligue 1 campaign and will be hoping to continue their journey up the table after last season’s mid-table finish. The club will come up against Nice in their first match of the new season who finished 4th last time around, with both teams looking to get all three points on the opening day. Montpellier finished just one place below Toulouse in the table last season. The addition of Yalcouyé would likely strengthen Toulouse’s squad depth and give coach Carles Martinez new options as he plans for the opening fixtures.