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EXCLUSIVE: Ligue 1 side Toulouse close in on Cercle Brugge's Francis Abu

Abu Francis pictured during a press conference of the Belgian team Cercle Brugge
Abu Francis pictured during a press conference of the Belgian team Cercle Brugge KURT DESPLENTER / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP
Ligue 1 side Toulouse are in advanced discussions with Cercle Brugge over the signing of midfielder Francis Abu, Flashscore can confirm.

The French side are believed to have faced stiff competition from Burnley in the English Premier League and Italian sides Torino and Genoa.

Turkish sides Basaksehir FK and Trabzonspor were also interested in the Ghanaian, however Toulouse are close to securing the services of the midfielder with the deal in its final stages.

Abu joined Cercle Brugge in 2022 and has spent five years at the club. The 24-year-old, who wears the number 21 shirt, has been a key figure in the Belgian Pro League squad since his arrival. Over his tenure at Cercle Brugge, Abu has amassed over 60 league appearances, contributing 8 goals (1 goal and 7 assists) along the way.

His consistent performances in midfield, combining defensive discipline with creative passing, have made him one of the club’s standout performers. With one year left on his contract, the Belgian side are open to selling the Ghanaian talent this summer.

Before joining Cercle Brugge, Abu Francis began his professional career with Danish side FC Nordsjaelland. He joined their youth ranks and made his senior debut in the 2019/20 season. At Nordsjaelland, he showcased his potential as a dynamic midfielder capable of playing across multiple central roles.

His development in the Danish Superliga laid the foundation for his move to Belgium, where he has since matured into a reliable first-team regular.

At the international level, Francis Abu has been capped by the Ghana national team, making several appearances since his debut. As of mid-2025, Abu has earned 5 caps for the Black Stars, demonstrating his rise in prominence on the national scene.

Toulouse enjoyed a positive 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign, finishing 10th in the table. The club showed promise but lacked consistency, prompting a drive to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

With the signing of Abu imminent, Toulouse aim to bolster their midfield options with the Ghanaian’s industrious style and ball-carrying abilities. The club is targeting improved league standing and possibly a push towards the upper half, and Abu fits the profile of a hardworking midfielder who can influence games on both ends of the pitch.

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