Leicester City’s transfer rumour round-up: midfield targets

Leicester City are looking to bring in fresh legs and quality to liven their midfield and provide depth. One deal done and more are to come.

Leicester City had a major problem in midfield last season: the injury crisis which led to – at one time- James Maddison, Dennis Praet, and Ayoze Perez all being unavailable. This on top of injuries to Wilfred Ndidi, which certainly cost the Foxes.

With Hamza Choudhury set to complete a move to either Newcastle United – the perfect destination for him – or Southampton, space has opened for at least two new midfielders.

On top of that, the rising Fox Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has returned from his fantastic Luton Town loan, and will be in the senior squad next season.

Here are the faces who could join him.

Leicester City’s targets

The King Power side have already finalised the signing of French U21 international Boubakary Soumare. The deal is said to be somewhere between £18-22m, with the medical being completed in France, he will be confirmed shortly.

Potentially leaving will be the promising Portuguese youngster Sidnei Tavares, as he is yet to sign a new contract with the Foxes. A move may see him go to Inter Milan, AC Milan, or Napoli. Without him, there is room for a Youri Tielemans style player to join.

Taking his place in the U23 side could be the even more promising Ben Grist, who could supplant the Tielemans-role in the U23 squad and eventually fight his way into the senior squad. Leicester are in pole position for his signature.

In a shock to probably no one, the out of favour Naby Keita is linked with a move away from Anfield. Liverpool FC are ready to allow him to move on to get more regular football, and Leicester are said to be interested. The fee could be around £30-40m, though no enquiry has been made.

Brendan Rodgers’ outfit have made enquiries for Samuele Ricci, Matheus Pereira (who can also play on the wings), Nathanial Chalobah – who was coming in January – and Martin Odegaard on loan.

One player who has been linked, but not enquired upon as far as is known, is Mattias Svanberg, a 22-year-old Swedish international. He would be a promising signing, though is unlikely due to interest from the Milan-based Italian giants.

Chalobah is perhaps the most financially sensible option for the King Power side, though Pereira is the fan favourite. Ricci would not immediately fit into the senior team, whereas Odegaard on loan could be a brilliant signing.

Foxes supporters will have to wait until after the Euros to see which target has impressed most, and which Leicester will splash the cash on. Rest assured, at least one of them will be a Fox.