Jordan Blackwell sifts through the latest transfer news and gossip around the Foxes looking at players they may sell and potential new arrivals
The transfer window doesn’t officially open until next month and Enzo Maresca, speaking before the interest from Chelsea emerged, said Leicester City would be having a “low-key” summer of business, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation.
Here, we rundown the rumours to have emerged so far and assess the likelihood of the players involved representing the club next season. You can also give your thoughts in the comments section HERE.
Abdul Fatawu
This could be City’s biggest deal of the summer and it’s one that looks like happening. Out in Portugal, Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has spoken as if Fatawu’s departure has already been confirmed. It’s highly likely that the wing dynamo will be back at City in the new season for a price of around £14.5m.
Alex Berenguer
But with Marc Albrighton leaving and Yunus Akgun not returning, just signing Fatawu to join Stephy Mavididi and Kasey McAteer among the club’s wide options may not be enough. And so it’s perhaps not a surprise that City, along with a few other clubs, have been linked with Athletic Bilbao’s Berenguer. He’s going to be available on a free transfer as things stand, but Athletic are still hoping they can convince him to stay.
Christos Mandas
There is the danger of City selling players this June in order to comply with financial regulations, and the links to Lazio goalkeeper Mandas only make sense if Mads Hermansen is one of those who departs. The Dane is a true modern keeper and looks destined for the top, so could fetch a decent fee. But while Mandas also looks a talent, City fans will be hoping the club don’t sign him. They’d much rather keep Hermansen.
Gabriel Pereira
An impressive performer at the back for Gil Vicente in Portugal this season, Brazilian centre-back Pereira has caught the attention of a few clubs, including City. And it seems he will be on the move this summer, having sent a farewell to his team-mates. City are not desperate for numbers in defence, with Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Ben Nelson in the squad and Jannik Vestergaard expected to sign a new contract, but extra quality at the back wouldn’t go amiss with the club about to face a much more talented batch of strikers in the Premier League.
Ibrahim Maza
Where City do look short on numbers is in attacking midfield positions. With Yunus and Dennis Praet leaving, and with Wilfred Ndidi potentially falling back into a defensive role if he stays at the club, they could do with a few new faces in the area just behind the striker. One interesting name to have cropped up in that position is Maza, a Germany under-19 international playing in Bundesliga 2 for Hertha Berlin, and who may be sold this summer to help his club balance their books. But while he could be one for the future, he may not be ready to be a starter at Premier League level.
Leave a Reply