As January draws nearer and nearer, the number of rumours regarding Leicester City’s upcoming transfer window ramp up, and for good reason. Leicester aren’t usually the busiest of clubs when it comes to January – the signings of Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi are the highest-profile January recruits of late for City – but this winter may be different.
It is no understatement to say that Leicester’s form has been mixed. The recent 3-1 win over Legia Warsaw and 4-2 victory against Watford are good results, but they have followed some quite disastrous performances.
Now, the winter transfer window is notoriously difficult for clubs to buy in. Clubs, understandably, don’t want to lose their players halfway through the season, and the players who are available are usually available for a reason. In the winter, money talks, and a lot of clubs are unprepared to overpay. All that being said, if you can get a transfer right in January, it can boost the morale and form of the club.
This is why Leicester City may take this January a little more seriously\. It at points throughout the 2021/22 campaign, it has been clear that the East Midlander’s may need something different in the dressing room, and some new faces.
City will be aiming to enter 2022 playing, and competing, in all four competitions. The Foxes will be hoping that their European journey isn’t ended in December; will be wanting a result in the Carabao Cup quarter final against Liverpool as they target more silverware; will be starting their defence of the FA Cup; and, of course, will be pushing for the top 6 in the Premier League. To do this, they’ll need a big and reliable squad.
Over the next couple of pages, FoL will be looking at three different players that Leicester have been linked with and will be asking if they are needed in the squad. Now, whilst all the names are exciting, they aren’t established superstars – not yet anyway. As said, clubs don’t want to lose their stars in January and, if they do, they’ll charge double the amount they’d want in the summer.
That being said, the following players all have exciting qualities and are exceptionally promising. Where better to prove this to you than Barcelona B’s captain.
Leicester City after Arnau Comas?
A product of the legendary La Masia – Barcelona’s academy system that has developed the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, oh, and Lionel Messi – Arnau Comas is already showing his qualities as he has impressed as captain of Barcelona B. Oh, and he’s a natural out and out centre back.
The 21-year-old has captained his side in each of his 13 games for his club; they compete in the third tier of Spanish football, in Spain academy – or ‘B’ sides – can take part in the football pyramid, though the highest league that they can play in is the second tier and they cannot win promotion to La Liga. From those 13 appearances, he has kept 5 clean sheets.
Comas has come through the Barcelona system from a very young age and is now awaiting his graduation to the Barcelona senior squad. Alas, this hasn’t happened yet, which has led Comas to consider alternative options. His dream is to play for Barca, but if this doesn’t happen, Comas has proven that he is ready to step up from the third tier.
This is a key point in Comas’ career, as his contract with Barcelona B runs out in July 2022, so unless he is assured to be given a clear pathway to the Catalonian giants, Comas will seek to move elsewhere.
His CV is more than impressive, and the experience of captaining a side at such a young age is an added bonus. Due to the impending expiration of his contract, clubs could be getting themselves an absolute bargain, barley paying over £1m for him. His current transfer value sits at £900K, but clubs tend to pay slightly over that figure.
Leicester Mercury are reporting that Leicester are one of the clubs interested in the defender, along with Everton. Due to Leicester’s incredible track record with developing young players, you may assume that the Foxes would be a more favourable destination.
Do Leicester need him? To put it bluntly, no, they don’t *need* him. Should Leicester sign him though? Yes. To progress through all the levels of the Barcelona academy shows real talent, to captain them is a sign of a great developing leader.
Under the wing of Jonny Evans, learning from Wesley Fofana and being coached by Premier League invincible Kolo Toure, Leicester could turn Comas into a real weapon and defensive rock. The step up is a big one, but he’d be given time, maybe even a loan.
Of all the rumours, this is one is the signature I’d be hoping Leicester capture the most, and for only £1m, it’s almost too good to be true in the current market. Almost.
Bryon Castillo
From one Barcelona player to another. This isn’t the Barcelona you’re thinking of though. This is Barcelona SC Guayaquil who play halfway across the world from Spain, in the LigaPro – Ecuador’s top tier football league.
The only link between the European giants and the South American club, is that Barcelona SC’s founder, Eutimio Pérez, came from Catalonia, and decided to name the club after his home city. It doesn’t help that their badges are similar.
Barcelona SC is where you will find one Bryon Castillo, an Ecuadorian fullback who has been linked with Leicester City, Everton, and Liverpool. Leicester, however, according to Sport Witness, are ahead of the Merseyside duo as they have contacted his club and have asked for the player, though this is as advanced as it gets so far.
So, who is he? Castillo is a 23-year-old Ecuadorian who plays on the right side of defence – though he is equally as capable playing on the left as well. Leicester have a track record in recruiting fullbacks who are versatile on both sides of the defensive line – Castagne, Justin and Ricardo are equally adept on either side.
Castillo has been making a name of himself this season, playing in every single minute of LigaPro (13) whilst he has scored 2 and assisted 3 – the type of numbers that an attacking fullback usually delivers for Leicester. It’s not only in the league that he has impressed, his 12 appearances in the Copa Libertadores have also caught the eye.
Castillo is also an established international for Ecuador. With 6 caps to him name since September, he has now claimed his place as his country’s starting right back. This all means that a work permit wouldn’t be an issue if he were to move to the Premier League.
Do Leicester City need him? Castillo is a risky one. If the step up for Comas would be huge, then this is a leap and a half in quality of competition. Currently valued at £720K, it wouldn’t be a huge financial risk, but I don’t know if he is a player that Leicester should pursue.
Ricardo hasn’t been firing on all cylinders this season, but with Castagne performing consistently, and with James Justin returning to fitness this month, I don’t think this is an issue that needs fixing in the transfer market. Add to that the young talent of Luke Thomas and Vontae Daley-Campbell, and the signing of Castillo almost feels like a waste.
Leicester would be much better using their money to sign players in key areas of the pitch that need addressing rather than further bulking out the number of fullbacks they have.
Aguibou Camara
Saving the best for last, Aguibou Camara is a talent to be really excited about. He feels like a Football Manager wonderkid. Camara’s rise has been quite sensational and has seemingly come out of nowhere. Earlier this year, he was playing for Lille’s B team but his pathway to the senior side wasn’t clear. Greek giants Olympiacos decided to gamble on the Guinean for just over £100K. What a bargain.
He scored in their failed Champions League qualifying but has featured throughout the Europa League. It isn’t just in Europe that he has impressed, in the Greek Super League he has scored in 4 of his 10 appearances, plus he has assisted another 2. Impressive stats for a 20-year-old.
Camara plays mostly as a CAM but can also play on either wing. Greece is home to some of the fiercest derbies in Europe, and it will no doubt help him mature by playing in those atmospheres. Plus, by featuring in the Europa League, he is showing the world that he isn’t intimidated by playing on the big stage.
All this talent won’t come cheap though, especially as his contract currently runs until the summer of 2025. The Mercury are reporting that Olympiacos are wanting around £20m for their youngster, with the fee set to rise alongside Camara’s growth.
It isn’t just Leicester who are interested in Camara’s signing though, Newcastle United have buckets of cash to play with thanks to their takeover, and they may just be tempted to splash their cash on the Guinea international. Liverpool are also keeping tabs on him.
Do Leicester need him? The amount of money that is required for Camara’s services is certainly eye-catching, but so is the prospect of having him at City. He clearly has a big future ahead of him and, as said before, Leicester is a perfect destination for any young player aiming to make it at the top.
James Maddison’s form is improving, but CAM is a position that Leicester City could really do with strengthening. They don’t want to become reliant upon Maddison’s form and having true competition in the squad would help both players.
If Leicester can afford to pay the fee, it is a very exciting deal. Sources close to Camara are expecting a move to the Premier League, let’s just hope that when he arrives at the King Power, he’ll be playing in Leicester blue.