The January transfer window left Leicester City without any new additions to their injury sustained squad; the closest they got to was only a failed attempt to acquire Christian Eriksen. So how does the club prepare for the summer transfer window?
The Foxes surely looks to be having a good season, they have not gone down below the fourth position in the Premier League this season. It could be yet another season to remember for the East Midlands side as they are alive in the Europa League as well as the prestigious FA Cup.
It looks certain that LCFC could manage a top-four finish comfortably this season if they keep this kind of results, and could very well challenge the Manchester clubs throughout in the title race.
After winning the unthinkable Premier League title in the 2015–16 season, the club has risen to global prominence & recognition. In the subsequent years, the club has become one of the top clubs in England & Europe in terms of consistency and in finding top young talents to represent the club.
Unfortunately last year Leicester’s yet another wonderful season was cut short by the global pandemic and numerous injuries which hampered their form severely, then after the season restart, they lost their touch and failed to secure a Champions League spot to Manchester United on the final day of the season.
This season is facing a similar fate in terms of recurring injuries within the squad which is leaving little options for the manager Brendan Rogers. Amongst many, the recent blow for LCFC occurred as the foxes’ attacking midfielder and Belgian international, Dennis Praet who sustained a hamstring tear in their FA Cup victory at Stoke which puts Praet out for nearly 12 weeks.
Leicester City’s pursuit of Eriksen
The foxes wasted no time looking for a replacement in the January transfer window. So it comes as no surprise why Leicester City generated an interest in the world-class Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen and made him their prime target in the winter transfer window.
Leicester City was a real possibility for the Danish midfielder. Sure, it would have been a fruitful move for both the player and the club. Eriksen could start straight away as he was well adapted to the league. There was no concern over his adaptability and his experience he brought to the table.
However, as the talks proceeded the agreements became unacceptable for the King Power club as Inter Milan wanted a loan fee along with the demand that Leicester accounts for the player’s wages; which amounted to a hefty sum of €4m+taxes. The move finally did not materialize.
At 28 years Eriksen will be at his prime for the coming years, if he still can’t cope with the Italian style of football then surely he would choose to return to the league where he is most comfortable.
Other options to explore in summer
Fabrizio Romano speculates that in the coming transfer window of summer Leicester City would be keen to attain a new midfielder; here is what he tweeted:
Leicester will push in the coming weeks to extend Youri Tielemans contract. Christian Eriksen was a ‘real’ target in January but no agreement with Inter on loan fee + salary [€4m after taxes], same as Tottenham. The club will plan to sign a new midfielder in the summer. 🔵 #lcfc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 9, 2021
The addition of an attacking midfielder or a striker is apparent for the foxes. The club is guaranteed to make one or two big moves in the summer. The names that are surfacing in the rumour mill are Otávio who plays for FC Porto and will be available as a free agent in June. Talks for adding Eriksen will possibly be under the club’s radar with better agreeable terms a move could be pondered over the summer.
Attackers like Édouard from Celtic and free agent Diego Costa would generate a lot of speculation, according to us why not? They would most definitely add value in crisis as prominent strikers aside from relying too much on Jamie Vardy. Brendan Rodgers also confirmed recently that the search for another forward in the mould of vardy would resume.
The next few months will also be crucial to assess Cengiz Ünder, who has lacked to start for the club but Rogers has promised he is expected to feature more in the second half of the season. If Ünder is happy and contained with his playing minutes, when the season draws to a close we could see him making a permanent move to the East Midlands. For now, we have to wait and keep an eye out for that.