Leicester City Football Club's effort to rectify a stuttering campaign by moving for GAIS striker Ibrahim Diabate is said to be gathering pace. The Ivorian forward is reportedly a primary target after a sensational 2025 campaign in Sweden's Allsvenskan. He finished as the joint-top scorer with 18 goals in 29 outings. However, their 2026 campaign is yet to begin. The Scandinavians generally don't follow the same schedule as English Football League or Premier League sides. They have calendar yearly terms.
Anyway, suggestions that City have reached an 'agreement in principle' have the Blue Army talking. Nobody was expecting LCFC to be able to pay even a low fee. Nonetheless, a price tag in the region of £2million was touched for the deal. Of course, Foxes manager Marti Cifuentes managed Hammarby IF in the country so has extensive experience in the market. Hopefully Cifuentes believes Diabate can handle the ferocity and pace of the EFL Championship.
"Leicester City have agreed a deal in principle to sign striker Ibrahim Diabate from Swedish top-flight club GAIS "FLW
The 26-year-old Leicester target could be a modern target man for the East Midlands team: he is described as a complete No.9. Diabate supposedly possesses a rare blend of explosive pace, physical presence and knowing movement inside the box with a clinical edge. That surmise will have City supporters drooling in anticipation of finally a viable striker since Jamie Vardy departed.
The former is an imposing frame for a 6-footer: giving a prerequisite focal point lacking during the Patson Daka and Jordan Ayew era.
A midfielder still needed on Filbert Way
Elsewhere, a decent and experience midfielder is required for several reasons. The Foxes were said to have failed to sign West Ham United's Andy Irving in the summer. City were keen on adding the Scottish playmaker to their midfield. Although the hypothetical switch collapsed due to Irving apparently being reluctant to drop into tier two.
A deep-lying technician should be a priority at King Power Stadium; especially with Harry Winks outcast and Boubakary Soumare potentially exiting. Why else? Well, there is need to liberate, or utilise, the already brilliant Jordan James further. While James has been effective in deeper roles, there is a growing logical argument for moving the Welsh international into a No. 10 position.
James has already banged in nearly 10 goals this season; shifting him higher would allow his late runs and ball-striking ability without as much defensive responsibilities. Securing a player like Irving, or another with a similar or matching profile, may perhaps provide the stability to finally unleash James as even more of a creative and goalscoring threat behind a revitalized frontline including Diabate. Sadly Sparta Prague may get the Scot; LCFC may have other options.
The possible design of Leicester City's starting XI when adding potential centre forward signing Ibrahim Diabate
Stolarczyk; Ricardo, Nelson, Okoli, Choudhury; Skipp, Soumare; Monga, James, Fatawu; Diabate.