Leicester City Now Have a Clear Path to ‘Special’ Transfer Target After Recent West Ham Update – Opinion

admin July 31, 2024

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After securing promotion to the Premier League, Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has been diligently preparing for the 2024/25 season.

Owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has supported Cooper by making several key signings, including Issahaku Fatawu, Caleb Okoli, Michael Golding, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Further additions are anticipated.

Leicester is interested in bringing Ben Doak on loan from Liverpool for the upcoming season. Additionally, they are preparing to make a substantial offer for Celtic’s Reo Hatate, who could replace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The club has also initiated talks with Arsenal regarding a potential loan move for Reiss Nelson with an option to buy.

Neil EL AYNAOUI, Elye WAHI of Lens and Leonardo BALERDI of Marseille during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Lens at Orange Velodrome on April 28, 2024 in Marseille, France.

Recent developments have provided Leicester with an opportunity to pursue another target. With Jamie Vardy now 37 and Kelechi Iheanacho having departed on a free transfer, Cooper’s attacking options are limited.

While Leicester had shown interest in Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew, they are now linked with another target.

According to French outlet L’Equipe on July 30, West Ham United and Leicester began discussions to sign RC Lens striker Elye Wahi.

However, West Ham appears to have shifted their focus to Borussia Dortmund’s German striker Niclas Fullkrug, as reported by BBC Sport.

Given that West Ham may not afford both Fullkrug and Wahi, and fitting both into the squad would be challenging for Julen Lopetegui, Leicester now seem to have a clearer path to signing Wahi.

Zoudenbalch , Friendly match , season 2024 / 2025 , Football . Match between Utrecht and RC Lens . RC Lens player Elye Wahi during the friendly match between FC Utrecht and RC Lens at Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch on July 27, 2024 in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Wahi could address Leicester’s attacking issues. Despite finishing as the second-highest scorers in the 2023/24 Championship season, Leicester’s attacking threat has diminished with the departures of Dewsbury-Hall and Iheanacho, and Vardy’s advancing age.

Finding a quality goalscorer is crucial for avoiding Premier League relegation.

Jordan Ayew might not be the ideal fit, but Wahi could be a valuable addition. The 21-year-old had a standout 2023/24 season with Lens, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 37 matches, including two goals in six Champions League appearances.

He has garnered high praise from Thierry Henry, who described him as “special.” Henry highlighted Wahi’s ability to position himself well and finish with precision, noting his impressive performance and potential.