“Future Star and a Top Finisher – Four Leicester City Targets That Slipped Away”

By the end of the transfer window, Leicester City had secured nearly all the signings they had targeted, but it wasn’t without challenges.

 

The club had to work hard until the last moment, as some deals earlier in the summer fell through.

 

In mid-August, manager Steve Cooper expressed confidence that two signings were nearly completed, only for those deals to collapse at the final hurdle.

 

Let’s take a look at four players Leicester City were close to signing this summer to assess whether the club’s regrets over missing out on them have grown in the weeks since.

 

Adam Hlozek

 

The Czech forward, who was on the verge of joining Leicester before Hoffenheim swooped in, made an immediate impact at his new club.

 

It took just two games for Hlozek to contribute to a goal for Hoffenheim, and ironically, it was a former Leicester player who benefited.

 

Starting his second consecutive game, Hlozek outpaced his defender and delivered a pinpoint cross for Andrej Kramaric to tap home.

 

Unfortunately, it was a consolation goal in Hoffenheim’s 3-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. In his debut match the week before, Hoffenheim claimed a 3-2 victory, with Kramaric netting a hat-trick.

 

Had Hlozek joined Leicester, he might have been thrown straight into the team to face Tottenham on the opening day of the season.

 

However, he’ll still get a chance to face Spurs, as Hoffenheim have been drawn against them in the Europa League group stage.

 

Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo has high hopes for Hlozek, stating: “He’s a very good guy and has integrated well into the team.

 

It’ll take time for him to fully adapt to our processes, but he has great dynamism and a superb finish. He’s fun to watch and adds a lot of energy to our attack.”

 

Fotis Ioannidis

 

Another striker Leicester targeted was Fotis Ioannidis, who was the subject of interest from various clubs across Europe. Despite Leicester’s reported £20m+ bid, Ioannidis stayed with Panathinaikos.

 

After scoring 23 goals in 44 games last season, more might be expected from him this campaign.

 

So far, Ioannidis has scored just once in six matches, but that goal—a dazzling solo effort in the Europa Conference League against Lens—proved crucial.

 

Ioannidis’s goal ensured that Panathinaikos bodily trailed by one going into the second leg of their Conference League play-off, which they won 2-0 thanks to a late winner from former Leicester winger Tete.

 

Now, Panathinaikos are through to the group stages, where they will face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.

 

Wilfried Zaha

 

Leicester were interested in bringing Wilfried Zaha back to the Premier League, but UK tax laws complicated his return.

 

Zaha eventually left Galatasaray, securing a loan move to Lyon late in the transfer window.

 

As a result of the timing of the deal, Zaha has not yet made his debut for Lyon, but he is expected to do so in their upcoming match against Lens.

 

Like Hlozek, Zaha will also feature in European competition, with Lyon competing in the Europa League.

 

Among Lyon’s group-stage opponents are Fenerbahce and Besiktas, Istanbul rivals of Zaha’s former club Galatasaray.

 

Matias Soule

 

Matias Soule was another player Leicester came close to signing, and he has started all three of Roma’s Serie A matches this season.

 

Despite his regular starting spot, Roma’s form has been underwhelming, with two draws and a defeat, and just one goal scored across those games. said.

 

However, Soule’s performances have not gone unnoticed, as he received his first senior Argentina call-up during the international break.

 

Roma manager Daniele De Rossi has also praised the young winger, reflecting on his loan spell at Frosinone last season: “He was incredible last championship.

 

His data is comparable to that of his best peers worldwide, even though he was playing in a team where he was the standout player.

 

When we faced Frosinone last year, I told my team to keep an eye on him.

 

He’s going to become a phenomenon.”

 

Conclusion

 

Leicester City came close to landing several key signings over the summer, but for various reasons, those deals didn’t materialize.

 

While the players they missed out on have shown flashes of their potential at their new clubs, the regrets at Leicester may be tempered by their belief in the current squad and their long-term goals.

 

Hlozek, Ioannidis, Zaha, and Soule have all had promising starts to their respective seasons, but there’s still a long way to go.

 

Leicester’s transfer window may not have gone exactly as planned, but the door remains open for future opportunities to strengthen the squad.