Leicester City look to fight Juventus for Hoffenheim star
By James Lassey
Leicester City are eyeing a bid for Czech Republic international Pavel Kaderabek, however they will need to overcome interest by Serie A giants Juventus.
According to the Sun and reports in Italy, the right-back who has been at Hoffenheim since 2015 is valued at £5 million.
Having joined from Sparta Prague, the 25-year-old has gone on to star in Hoffenheim’s rise to fifth in the Bundesliga.
The defender started his playing career at the Czech side and worked his way up the ranks but only managed 26 starts in his five year term.
Although since making the move to Germany, Kaderabek has featured 56 times for Hoffenheim including 17 appearances this season.
He has also featured in both the Champions League and Hoffenheim’s most recent Europa League 3-1 win over Istanbul Buyuk.
He also assisted their goal as they defeated Stuttgart 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Foxes manager Claude Puel has been keeping tabs on the 30 cap international since he signed a contract extension until 2021 last summer which included an £18 million release clause.
However, if the Frenchman is to obtain Kaderabek’s signature he has to beat fierce competition from Juventus who are looking to use the January transfer market as an opportunity to strengthen their back line.
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With Yohan Benalouane looking as though he is on his way out and Harry Maguire, Wes Morgan and Robert Huth acting as the only first team options able to play in the central role, Kaderabeck could provide some much needed depth.
Whether a formal bid will be lodged is yet to be seen but we can only imagine the target is one of many on Puel’s list.