Rating Leicester city’s summer transfer business so far

New arrivals

So far, there are three new faces reporting for training at the club’s Seagrave training base. 

Michael Golding signed for £4 million from Chelsea. The 18-year-old midfielder has a great deal of promise and it is surprising that the Stamford Bridge club allowed him to leave. However, with no first team league experience, he can be regarded as one for the future.

Bobby DeCordova-Reid was the second player through the door signed on a three-year deal from Fulham after turning down a new contract offer at Craven Cottage. At the other end of the scale from Golding, the Jamaican offers Premier League experience and versatility with the ability to play in a variety of positions across the front line. As FoL have pointed out, it is unlikely that the forward will be a regular starter for the Foxes but can fill in when needed as a result of injuries and suspensions.

Caleb Okoli is the third new signing bought for £13 million from Italian side Atalanta. The strong and quick 22-year-old central defender fits the pattern of many Leicester signings of recent years, bought for his potential with a view to, if needs must, selling on for a substantial profit in the future. With Cooper’s penchant for lining-up with three at the back it is likely that the Italian will be a starter for the Foxes in the Premier League. The club now have a surfeit of centre backs – six in all - and Okoli’s signing does suggest that one or two of them may well be surplus to requirements.

Equally important for the Foxes are two familiar faces who will be staying on. Abdul Fatawu made a stunning start to his Leicester career in the Championship, and it is expected that his permanent move from Sporting Lisbon will be confirmed. More surprisingly, as we reported, Wilfred Ndidi will, after all, pen a new three-year contract at the King Power Stadium. With, reportedly, five alternative contract offers on the table, it is gratifying that Ndidi is staying on. Signed from Belgium side Genk in 2017, the Nigerian midfielder is now, after Jamie Vardy, the longest-serving Leicester player. It remains to be seen where Cooper decides to play him. It may be that Ndidi will revert to his former defensive role after a season in which Maresca played him further up the pitch.