Leicester City have reportedly submitted a £23.2m bid for Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis.
The 24-year-old could have been a breakout star at this summer’s Euro 2024 in Germany, however Greece lost during their playoff final against Georgia in March.
Ioannidis still enjoyed a successful 2023-24 term, especially in the Europa League, with the attacker netting five times during six matches in UEFA’s secondary club competition.
The 11-time international was particularly prolific in front of net in the Greek Super League, making the net ripple on 15 occasions in just 28 appearances.
As well as experience of playing for a Greek giant, Ioannidis has also represented second-tier outfit Levadiakos during the early stages of his professional career.
Leicester submit £23.2m bid for Ioannidis?
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester are scouring the continent as they look to bolster their striking ranks ahead of a return to the Premier League.
The report claims that the Foxes are keen on securing the services of Ioannidis, who would be venturing outside of Greek club football for the first time in his career.
It is understood that Steve Cooper‘s side have tabelled a £23.2m bid for the 24-year-old, with the striker also attracting interest from elsewhere in Europe.
Serie A duo Lazio and Genoa are also thought to be considering a swoop for the Greece international, meaning that Leicester face serious competition to secure their target.
It was also reported earlier in the summer that Ipswich Town were actively pursuing a deal for Ioannidis, with the Tractor Boys seeing a £21.1m bid rejected by Panathinaikos.
Where would Ioannidis fit in at Leicester?
After strengthening their options on the flanks with the acquisitions of Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Facundo Buonanotte, it is not a surprise to see Leicester now focusing on their striking ranks.
With Kelechi Iheanacho leaving the King Power Stadium at the expiration of his contract in June, the Foxes only have Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka as genuine first-team options – assuming that Tom Cannon is loaned out before the end of the summer window.
Despite his abundance of Premier League pedigree, a 37-year-old Vardy, who is currently sidelined with a knock, cannot carry the goalscoring burden for Leicester if they wish to remain in the top flight.
Although unproven outside of Greek football and the group stages of the Europa League, Ioannidis would provide a different option up top for Cooper and could represent a solid capture from the pool that the Foxes are fishing in.
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