Reports: Leicester City agree deal for Ricardo Pereira

Leicester City have agreed a £17.5 million deal for FC Porto right-back Ricardo Pereira, according to A Bola.

The deal will include a further £4.3 million in add-ons, meaning that the Portuguese will end up as one of the Foxes’ most expensive signings of all time, and the second under Claude Puel after Fousseni Diabate earlier this January.

If the reports are true, then it would seem that Leicester City are going to stick with Puel for another season, who is understood to have played a big part in the transfer.

The Frenchman has previously worked with Ricardo Pereira during his highly succesful time at OGC Nice, and it’s his ties with the player that may have had the final say in the deal going through.

The transfer window already open following the implementation of the latest changes, the 24-year old’s official announcement shouldn’t be too far away.

The Portugal international has made 43 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and assisting seven. Those numbers do prove that he’d be an upgrade on Danny Simpson, who isn’t much of a threat going forward.

The 31-year old has only gone downhill this season, with his performance against Tottenham Hotspur in particular reflecting the need for a young full-back on the right side.

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The age being on his side, Pereira isn’t only a long-term option but someone who still has a lot of scope to improve. As we’ve seen with so many young players under Claude Puel, the FC Porto right-back could make decent strides forward after his arrival – shall it come.