Leicester City Launch £22m Bid for Striker to Address Crisis Before Tottenham Opener
Panathinaikos Striker Fotis Ioannidis Emerges as City's Target Amid Injuries to Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka
Leicester City are making a £22m bid for Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis as their need for a new forward intensifies.
The club has reportedly submitted an offer for the Greek international, who netted 23 goals in 44 games last season.
They will face competition from Sporting Lisbon, as Ioannidis’s impressive form has garnered attention across Europe.
Manager Steve Cooper has been discreet about his desire for a new striker this summer, but with Jamie Vardy still sidelined and Patson Daka recently injured, City finds themselves lacking attacking options ahead of their Premier League opener against Spurs.
Tom Cannon remains the only fit senior striker, and after Daka was withdrawn during Saturday’s final pre-season friendly against Lens, Cooper opted to bring on winger Stephy Mavididi to play up front, leaving Cannon on the bench.
Ioannidis enjoyed the best season of his career last term, contributing nine assists alongside his 23 goals.
In the Europa League group stage, the 24-year-old scored five times in six games, despite Panathinaikos struggling, only managing to score seven as a team.
This was by far Ioannidis’s top goalscoring campaign, with his previous best being seven goals.
He was first linked to City in June, along with Bologna, Celtic, Lille, Ipswich, and Sporting.
