Leicester back in for German international who’s not playing

Leicester City are once again interested in German international Robin Gosens as the side look to improve the first team. Here is what you need to know.

Rewind a couple seasons and the Foxes were linked to Boubakary Soumare, Patson Daka, Odsonne Edouard, and Domenico Berardi. One of the more exciting links was to a fullback – Gosens.

A forward thinking, naturally left-footed, and goalscoring fullback. However, the King Power club opted to spend £15m on Jannik Vestergaard and sign Ryan Bertrand on a free. The German international went on a loan to buy to Inter Milan.

Now, after a rather abysmal commencement to the Premier League campaign – even with one great signing – LeicestershireLive report Leicester could reignite their previous interest in the player. There remain questions as to the value of any deal and why the Foxes would want him now.

Leicester City’s hindsight

32 games played in Serie A, 11 goals scored, six assists: these were the prolific stats which brought the player onto the radar following the 20/21 season. Brendan Rodgers wanted him to improve the side.

Beyond what would have been an exciting transfer, the following campaign was not as nice for the German 28-year-old. In the 21/22 season, he only managed half the number of games – totalling all competitions this time – and under a quarter the number of goals and assists. Clearly then, the Foxes dodged a purple patch player.

Well, the player’s situation is a little more complicated. Further, I would still argue the King Power club should make the return for the fullback on loan in January. He could even be utilised further up field as a naturally left-footed actual winger or as a left wing-back.

As per FB Ref‘s statistics, the player remains in the 91st percentile for progressive passing, 81st for non-penalty xG, 69th for aerials won, and 66th for successful dribbling. Stylistically, Gosens remains an improvement on our natural left-sided options (Bertrand and Luke Thomas).

Although the German has lost his spot, this is simply due to stiff competition for places in the Inter squad. Gosens may not have hit the highs of the 20/21 season, but he continues to be a dangerous and strong presence down the left wing.

I should doubt a permanent transfer in the January window when the club are struggling with financial fair play concerns. Unless we see a couple exits, expect a possible loan to buy being touted around for the formerly prolific player. Otherwise, a bid of around £25-30m might be needed to pry the costly talent from Italy.