The summer period can be a period of intense trepidation for Leicester City fans. This works in two ways, with the anxiety over retaining star players but also excitement over potential transfers. You will be relieved to hear this latest transfer update fits into the latter category.
What’s the story?
Before the end of the Premier League season, Leicester City were heavily linked with German wing-back Robin Gosens, who plays for Atalanta. There were strong reports of a £25m deal being thrashed out, with the player willing to join dependent on Leicester qualifying for the Champions League. Due to Leicester’s failure to reach the UCL, it seemed this deal was dead with the Foxes looking at Ryan Bertrand instead.
Yet, it seems Jon Rudkin has other ideas, with caughtoffside reporting that Leicester City “remain in transfer talks” with Atalanta. This has led to Leicester taking the most active interest over his other suitors, including Italian giants Juventus. Whilst the 26-year-old would prefer to either remain at Atalanta or move to a big Italian club, there has been little initiative taken by any other outfits. Subsequently, Gosens remains open for sale, due to him entering the last year of his contract and the economic fallout of COVID-19.
Gosens would be a superb addition to the Leicester City squad, being able to play as both wing-back and full-back, as well as on the wing. With only Luke Thomas as the out-and-out LB at the club, Leicester look light in terms of depth. Thomas has massively improved this season, yet needs to improve his confidence going forward which will hopefully come with experience. Gosens would certainly solve this issue, adding a much-needed attacking drive from the left-hand side.
Watching him play on the international stage for Germany emphasised his excellence in the final third, with Gosens wreaking havoc with his powerful running and accurate cut-backs. Too often in games, Leicester City lack enough dynamic runners off-the-ball, but all the signs point to Gosens as a potential solution.
Recording 17 goal involvements in Serie A is staggering for a defender and Gosens’ excellence at wing-back would allow Rodgers to utilise a back three system similar to Gasperini, although the German is adept in a back four too. Judging from the excitement around Atalanta’s attacking system, this would bode for even more exciting times. Additionally, his versatility would potentially also allow him to deputise for Harvey Barnes, solving the left-wing conundrum.
In terms of costs, there are both monetary and non-monetary costs. Gosens would be one of the more expensive transfers LCFC commit to this window, with the Foxes reportedly willing to pay up to £28m. This would use up a significant proportion of the transfer budget, which would not be the case if Bertrand was signed. Nevertheless, the quality of Gosens is vastly superior with all due respect to the Saint, who is an England international in all fairness.
Furthermore, Gosens is unlikely to want to sit on the bench, meaning Thomas’ and potentially Justin’s development may be stunted without as much game time. However, this could be solved by Thomas going out on loan whilst Justin will take a long time to return to his best after his ACL injury.
FoL would endorse this transfer if the fee is around £30m. For one of the best wing-backs in Europe, £30m seems a potential bargain. No doubt, such technicalities can be negotiated with the initial fee likely to be lower than £30m, but increasing with add-ons. Yet, whether this interest progresses is likely down to the player’s preference, and whether he is convinced by Rodgers’ project even without Champions League football on offer.