It is a sentiment whispered in the shadowed corners of the Filbert Way concourse, yet one that demands the light of day: Abdul Fatawu is arguably the most talented, organic, and explosive winger to grace Leicester City since the devastatingly good Riyad Mahrez. There, it has been said.
The Ghana international operates with a raw, kinetic energy that feels increasingly rare in an era of over-coached and stiff footballing automatons. While the burgeoning star can occasionally prove a source of frustration (prone to the odd bout of histrionics, a penchant for baiting the whistle, and a sometimes laissez-faire relationship with defensive tracking) - denying he is supremely gifted from the Almighty would be 'player hating', as it were.
Sad to see a brilliant Leicester City star leave - but where to next?
​As a devoted chronicler of the Foxes, confessing a sense of impending devastation at the prospect of his departure is a natural feeling. Yet the cold, financial reality of the King Power's current predicament is impossible to ignore.
Should Leicester find themselves consigned to the depths of League One (a destination unthinkable for a player of such high-end caliber) an exodus is inevitable. In truth, Fatawu has arguably outgrown the rigorous demands of the EFL Championship; his ceiling certainly resides far above the third tier.
Enter Sunderland. The Wearside outfit, a respected institution with a support as fervent as any in the land, has reportedly revived its interest with a planned £20 million (a fraction of his true value) summer offensive. Having seen a significant bid rebuffed in the summer, the Black Cats appear poised to strike while the iron is hot and City's resolve is weathered by constraints.
"Sunderland Revive Interest in Leicester City Star with €20M Summer Move Planned"Sports Illustrated
If pushed, the Stadium of Light represents a fitting stage for Fatawu's theatrical talents. It is a well-run, historic club where his explosive unpredictability would be cherished. For Leicester, losing such a baller is a bitter pill, but the North East may beckon.