Leicester City have relinquished some of their top talent this summer following relegation from the Premier League, and in some cases have been forced to, with high-profile departures signalling a significant reshaping of the playing squad. The prime example there would be Abdul Fatawu, who moved to Ipswich Town for around £20 million.
While other potentially exceptional talent will likely exit the King Power in the form of Ben Nelson, an England youth international whose pedigree has drawn interest from several top flight sides. Bridging the gap between up-and-coming prospects and established senior stars was 16-year-old Jeremy Monga, whose future had been the subject of intense speculation for months.
Upon turning 17, the worst kept secret in English football unfolded: Monga completed a move to elite targets Manchester City. Former Leicester head coach Enzo Maresca was widely reported to have been instrumental in outlining a clear development route towards the first team at the Etihad as Arsenal were hijacked. 'Hi Jack, bye Jack'.
Other youngsters not quite at the Coventry-born teenager's level have been allowed to leave or poached too, as executives in Leicestershire work to restructure a squad left unbalanced by last season's struggles and financial constraints and restrictions. Maxwell Adedeji, an 18-year-old graduate of the Foxes academy, departed for Tottenham Hotspur; reports link City with a loan move for Spurs defender Malachi Hardy, reversely.
Leicester City lose Darren Motsi to battling Manchester City with Liverpool losers
Indeed, the loss of another highly-rated prospect in Darren Motsi, a 16-year-old attacker who had been the subject of a fierce recruitment battle between two of English football's biggest clubs, is now said to be confirmed. Motsi, who was courted heavily by both Liverpool and 'the other City', has ostensibly put pen to paper on a move to the Etihad, with the Citizens' long-term development plan ultimately proving decisive in edging out their Merseyside rivals.
"Manchester City have beaten Liverpool to the signing of highly-rated Leicester City attacker Darren Motsi, with the teenager choosing the Etihad Stadium despite the Merseyside club believing they had won the race, as per a new report."City Extra
Naturally, Motsi would have been one for the future at Anfield, just as he is at Etihad Stadium; both clubs boast proven records of nurturing young talent into senior stars. Regardless of his destination, the implications for LFC and Arsenal supporters alike is that City appear to be vacuuming up the most promising emerging talent across the country with remarkable efficiency.
Andoni Iraola recently made a very public plea for the Reds hierarchy to back his squad building plans with significant investment, and news of this latest setback will only deepen concern among the fan base. Many will see this as a bad omen, or worse still, a tangible sign that the club is falling behind its rivals in the race to secure the brightest young players in the land.
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