Two Leicester City players expected to leave before European deadline day
Rachid Ghezzal and Fousseni Diabate are expected to leave Leicester City before the European transfer deadline day.
The transfer window has already closed in England but other clubs in Europe’s top leagues have until Monday to get their deals over the line.
Which, of course, means Leicester could be making of yet more money. Ghezzal, who has been of interest to FC Schalke, Sampdoria and Olympiacos, is likely to be permanently sold, whereas Diabate could go back on loan to Sivasspor or Dijon.
There were whispers about Nampalys Mendy, too, but he will stay put, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.
"“I think the guys, Rachid and Diabate, those are the two guys where there was interest, so if anybody is to go out, it will be those two.“There’s nothing further to add. We will see what happens over the weekend. There’s been no movement on that.“There is nothing concrete, it would just depends what the offer was.”"
Since his £12 million move from AS Monaco last season, Ghezzal has hardly managed to do anything of note, the goal against Liverpool – helped by an error from Alisson – being an exception.
He has made 23 appearances for the club in all competitions, netting just thrice.
Only two of those appearances have come under Brendan Rodgers – a total of 19 minutes to be exact – and apart from that, he hasn’t even been a part of the matchday squad since.
Chances are, he will be gone by the end of the window, affording Leicester yet more breathing space and the luxury of less baggage.
Ghezzal’s acquisition never really made any sense. He had had one good season and that was all. It doesn’t matter what Leicester paid for him. What matters is why did they go for him at all?
If you are looking for someone to fill the void left by Riyad Mahrez, you would want a player who has consistently shown that he is capable.
Ghezzal hadn’t done that – he still hasn’t – and probably never will. He’s not the type to be relied upon. At 27, he should be thinking of peaking, but instead, he is still in a learning curve. It is sad but true.
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As for Diabate, well, he’s 23 and obviously can develop at Leicester. Another loan spell seems like a right decision.