Report: Leicester City faces setback as Steve Cooper’s transfer target opts for different move

Leicester City have been focusing on preparing for life without former midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who made 26 goal contributions in the 2023/24 Championship season. Since Dewsbury-Hall’s move to Chelsea to play under former Foxes boss Enzo Maresca, manager Steve Cooper has made several signings, including Caleb Okoli from Atalanta and Bobby De Cordova-Reid from Fulham.

Michael Golding has also joined from Chelsea, but Cooper is far from finished with his transfer dealings. He has been considering further options for the midfield, eyeing Matt O’Riley from Celtic and former Coventry City midfielder Callum O’Hare as potential replacements for Dewsbury-Hall.

Cooper aimed to strengthen his attacking options but has encountered a setback, as one of his primary targets has chosen to move to Serie A giants Roma over the Premier League. Leicester City have faced a major blow in their pursuit of winger Matias Soule from Juventus.

The Argentinian attacker has reportedly decided to join Roma, preferring the Giallorossi, according to Gianluca DiMarzio. Juventus was willing to let Soule go for a fee of £30m, which Roma is reportedly ready to meet. Soule spent a season on loan at Frosinone, where he finished as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals in Serie A, playing alongside Leicester City’s new signing Okoli.

Cooper had targeted the wide areas for reinforcement ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. Leicester City’s budget, not being sufficient to secure a proven Premier League goalscorer, meant they needed to take a gamble on a wide player, a risk that seemed promising with Soule.

Despite Frosinone’s relegation last season, Soule demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure in top leagues. For a similar price, Cooper will find it challenging to secure a target with Soule’s promise, potential, and goal-scoring ability, who performed admirably at the highest level in Serie A.

Leicester City must now regroup in their pursuit of a Premier League-standard winger, but they have certainly missed out on a gem in the Argentinian winger.