3 Players Leicester City should try to sign in January

Domenico Berardi

Now we are talking. Whilst Lingard and Tarkowski would be stellar signings, Berardi is box-office. The Italian winger, once of Juventus, has just exploded into since joining Serie A side Sassuolo in 2015.

His name will be familiar to many Leicester City supporters, his name was frequently linked with the East Midlander’s in the summer and it’s a rumour that has refused to die down. Leicester need an out and out world class right winger, the likes of which they haven’t had since Mahrez left the club. I really like Ademola Lookman, and he is showing some promise, but Berardi is next level.

His stats for Sassuolo are mind blowing, making 305 appearances, and scoring an outstanding 112 goals whilst also creating 73 assists. He has continued his impressive run this season, Berardi is his sides’ top goal scorer, netting 7 league goals and setting up another 6. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also their captain.

The 27-year-old plays mostly on the right wing, but can also play as a centre forward, though if Leicester were to secure his signing, I’d hope to only see him on the wing.

Signing him would be complicated, but not impossible. Sassuolo are currently 12th in Serie A, and a big move may be what Berardi wants as he pushes on from his Euro 2020 win. But Sassuolo may not want to sell.

Berardi’s current contract runs until 2024, so Sassuolo are under no obligation to sell, or even consider options. However, if the price is large enough, surely they’d be interested.

That brings us onto the fee. In the summer, the fee Leicester were apparently being asked for was around £35m, however his impressive start to Serie A this season, the fact that it is January, and the unspoken ‘Premier League tax’ mean that this fee could now easily rise to £50m in total.

It’s an eye watering fee, especially for Leicester, but to get the best players you have to pay the big prices. Currently, TransferMarkt have him valued at £31.50m, I’d be seriously surprised if the fee to get him was close to that number.

Berardi’s signature would be a huge statement from Leicester, it would be a huge boost to the dressing room and to the fans. It may be an unlikely one, but it is one that Leicester should pursue. When it comes to the January window, never say never. (Words by Will Kennedy)