Who is Bazoumana Toure? Newcastle United close in on transfer of exciting Bundesliga prospect
Bazoumana Touré is the Bundesliga’s breakout star of the season who you probably haven’t heard too much about yet, unless you're a Newcastle fan
Ivorian youngster Toure joined Hoffenheim from Swedish club Hammarby last year and has effectively quadrupled his asking price in just over 12 months.
Toure has had a hand in 20 goals since arriving in German football, five goals and 15 assists to be precise, including winning the odd penalty, and has featured for Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup.
Toure has followed a well-trodden path by African teenagers in recent years; ASEC Mimosas to Scandinavia, followed by a move to a bigger European league. At each juncture, Toure has raised his game to the required level.
Is Bazoumana Toure the fastest player in Europe?
He spent less than a year with Hammarby, who made a tenfold return on their investment when selling to Hoffenheim, and this summer, he is expected to join the Premier League elite.
The 20-year-old is a pure speedster, genuinely one of the fastest in Europe. He’s excellent at running in behind and unlike some players renowned for their quickness over the ground, boasts tangible end product at the climax of his team’s attacking moves.
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Toure loves blazing down the left-hand side, asking the question of his opposing full-back: ‘Can you keep up?’
He’s a prolific dribbler, an even more potent chance creator and currently riding the crest of a wave. The Bundesliga has provided the platform for Ivory Coast’s devastating wide duo of Toure and Yan Diomande to flourish this past season.
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Toure is a waif of a winger, slight and swift with roadrunner qualities and if his finishing were to improve, could realistically become the next £100m winger.
Hoffenheim have had a brilliant season and will be playing in Europe next season, but the lure of Premier League football is seemingly too great - and we don't blame him.
DID YOU KNOW: Toure’s father worked as a milkman in Ivorian capital Abidjan

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.
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