The rumor mill has been active, but Leicester City has yet to confirm any deals for a few weeks. With the final month of the transfer window upon us, there is much to be done both in terms of arrivals and departures to ensure City’s squad is ready for the new Premier League season. Here’s a look at potential deals:
Incomings
Winger
Matias Soule has moved to Roma, Reiss Nelson is out of budget, and Watford’s Yaser Asprilla is not under consideration. However, an attacking player who can play wide and provide competition for Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu while also drifting inside remains a priority.
Attacking Midfielder
Steve Cooper has been clear about his desire for an attacking midfielder to replace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. While Celtic’s Matt O’Riley seems out of reach, someone with a similar profile would be a good fit for the team.
Striker
Cooper has been cautious about expressing his need for a new striker, potentially to avoid disappointment if a deal doesn’t materialize, leaving Patson Daka and Tom Cannon to compete with Jamie Vardy. Ideally, City would have a new frontman by the end of the month. Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana has been linked recently, but it’s possible City’s name has been used to generate interest in the Ivorian.
Central Midfielder
City appears to lack depth in the deeper midfield roles and could face issues if Harry Winks gets injured. A versatile midfielder to back up or play alongside the former Tottenham player would be beneficial, especially if Boubakary Soumare leaves.
Full-back
With Ricardo Pereira and James Justin in the squad, City doesn’t necessarily need a starting full-back, but additional competition would be useful. However, this seems the least urgent of all potential incoming deals, so it wouldn’t be surprising if City sticks with their current options at full-back.
Outgoings
Harry Souttar
Souttar was excluded from the squad for the friendly against Palermo due to the abundance of center-backs available to Cooper and didn’t travel to Germany. The writing is on the wall for the Australian international, who has been linked with loan moves to Sheffield United and Rangers.
Ben Nelson
Similar to Souttar, academy graduate Ben Nelson has four center-backs ahead of him in the pecking order. A loan spell in the Championship for a season would likely be beneficial for him, and there’s plenty of interest in securing his services temporarily.
Kasey McAteer
If City secures a new wide player, Kasey McAteer could be loaned out for a year, with Hull and Cardiff leading the chase for his signature.
Tom Cannon
Similarly, if City brings in a new forward, Tom Cannon could make way. Championship clubs are keenly waiting for updates from City, hoping to acquire the Republic of Ireland international.
Boubakary Soumare
Despite being given a chance to impress by Cooper, Boubakary Soumare may not have done enough to secure his place. He could also generate some funds, with Roma and Monaco reportedly interested.
Luke Thomas
The left-back has been scarcely seen in pre-season and appears to have fallen down the pecking order under the new manager. Another loan spell, similar to last season, is a possibility.
