Right-back Woyo Coulibaly could be set for an abrupt return to England, with reports suggesting Sassuolo and Leicester City are discussing the early termination of his season-long loan deal.
According to a report from Tutto Mercato Web, the 26-year-old defender has struggled to find consistent playing time at the Mapei Stadium since his move in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
Despite choosing Neroverdi over competing offers from Watford and Paris FC, Coulibaly found himself on the periphery of the team.
The report states that all parties are now considering a “premature termination” of the contract.
However, such a move would require the explicit approval of its parent club, Leicester City.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the Mali international is reportedly not in Foxes manager Martí Cifuentes’ plans for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
Therefore, if the loan is terminated, Leicester will likely need to find another suitor immediately to ensure Coulibaly does not spend the next six months in the reserves.
Woyo Coulibaly has struggled since joining Leicester City
Coulibaly has established himself as a promising defensive talent through the prestigious Le Havre academy.
Known for his versatility, capable of playing at right-back, left-back or even in midfield, Coulibaly has built a reputation as a modern inverted winger.
His career gained significant momentum during a successful spell at Parma, where he made over 80 appearances and helped the team stabilize in the upper echelons of Italian football.
This form earned him a £3 million move to Leicester City in January 2025. While he initially arrived to cover for injured starters, he struggled to adapt to the pace of the English game.
Arriving under the management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Malian international struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, failing to supplant established options like James Justin or Ricardo Pereira.
Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding his arrival, he was largely confined to the bench, recording just one start during his six-month stay with the Foxes.
This lack of confidence and playing time ultimately made his summer loan move to Sassuolo a necessity to revitalize his stalled career.
With that spell also failing to ignite his career, uncertainty now surrounds his next step. Whether Leicester choose to retain him, seek a new loan or explore a permanent solution will become clearer if the current deal officially ends.
