The King Power Club enter deadline day with several players having left, two gaping holes likely to be in the senior starting XI, and with more transfers both in and out expected before the window shuts. For Marti Cifuentes, he will want to see a change in the forward line, and a midfielder to boot for sure (especially with Bilal El Khannouss likely leaving)
Leicester City’s Zambian Striker
The Foxes’ Patson Daka has been with us for some time now, having joined when Brendan Rodgers had Leicester challenging for European competition. The hope then was for our long-term Jamie Vardy replacement: a player who may not be better, but can fill the boots and score goals. After all, with RB Salzburg the Zambian was prolific.
That never came to pass, and with only a year left on his contract and the chances of the striker signing a new deal slim to none, now is the last time to sell him and collect a transfer fee. For Cifuentes, we know he wants players who are committed to the cause, passionate about the fight, and without any speculation affecting their mentality. The speculation and fan negativity around the disappointing time Daka has spent with Leicester certainly does not help his case.
It is also clear that the Spaniard has his sights set on new forward players. We have had several rumours for wingers, and a fairly concrete story around Argentinian striker Julian Carranza. For Patson Daka, who is behind Jordan Ayew in the pecking order, the arrival of a new signing and the incoming expiry of his contract almost assure Leicester are ready to sell.
However, although Cifuentes may want the striker out to end speculation and remove a player with essentially zero confidence in front of goal (although he has played very well in recent matches in supporting the attack) from a team which really need mentality and confidence to get back to the Premier League, getting a deal done will be difficult.
According to reports, Leicester City have struggled to sell the player to Real Betis. Apparently, Cifuentes’ team only want £10m and are unable to collect that fee at this time. The Zambian may end up staying as a bench player behind Ayew and Carranza should the Argentine’s transfer come to fruition. If so, the King Power side will lose out on transfer fees next campaign.