DEAL ON: Leicester City to reignite full interest in €7m January transfer target

The latest Leicester City transfer news as the club have again been linked with a move for Gil Vicente defender Gabriel Pereira

Leicester City will reportedly resume their interest in Gabriel Pereira as Enzo Maresca attempts to bolster his squad for next season’s Premier League return.

The Foxes have an interesting summer window ahead before they re-join England’s elite as it becomes clearer what the club’s capabilities in the transfer market are. On the one hand Financial Fair Play (FFP) will be looming like a dark shadow, whilst on the other there is a need to keep Maresca happy and work through some of his issues on the recruitment side.

Therefore smart transfers will be a necessity, and City will allegedly look to Portugal once again as they seek to make their first addition of the summer transfer window.

According to Italian publication Tutto Mercato Web, Gil Vicente centre half Pereira is a priority target for the East Midlands club. They explain how Maresca sought the player’s services in January but as his current club were fighting to ensure safety in Liga Portugal, they rejected a loan-to-buy offer on the condition of City’s promotion

With their status secured, Vicente will have greater leniency for departures in summer and will now reportedly ask for €7m to close a deal for the Brazilian. However, in the space of a few months Leicester now find themselves in a potential tussle as Benfica, Braga, Lyon and Udinese are all now credited with interest.

At 24 years of age, Pereira has made 112 appearances at club level. His skill with the ball at both feet has helped him achieve an average pass completion per 90 minutes of 85.1 percent, with an average progressive distance of 365.6 yards, and is just one reason his talents have been recognised in Leicester and across the continent.

Ultimately central defence is an area that simply must be addressed this summer, even if this signing is not part of the final plan. Jannik Vestergaard’s contract is due to expire, Callum Doyle’s 2023/24 loan will expire and finally Harry Souttar may be granted a route out of the club, so there will be gaps to fill.