Leicester City’s January landscape is further shifting as two players at polar ends of their careers prepare to exit the King Power Stadium. Yet no signings are on the LE2 horizon.
The profiles: Experience vs potential
Boubakary Soumare arrived in the East Midlands in 2021 with the pedigree of the Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC Academies respectively. He's also a Ligue 1 champion; being triumphant with Lille (LOSC) in the 2020–21 season. An occasionally powerful, ball-carrying midfielder, the Frenchman was initially viewed as the long-term successor to the club's engine room.
However, the Frenchman’s ride on the Foxes roller coaster has been defined by a search for identity. In spite of totaling over 80 City appearances, along with a loan spell at Sevilla, he has often struggled to consistently impose Soumare's physical and technical gifts on the English game at any level.
In contrast, Jake Evans represents the 'one of our own' narrative. A versatile, explosive forward who joined the academy at the tender age of nine, Evans became one of the club's youngest-ever debutants last season at just 16. Having dominated the Premier League 2 scoring charts and impressed for England’s youth setups, the Northampton-born starlet is widely considered the crown jewel of the current developmental squad alongside Jeremy Monga and Louis Page.
Double Leicester City transfer rumour
The Frenchman’s time in England is now supposedly reaching a permanent conclusion. According to Sky Sports' trustworthy Midlands reporter Rob Dorsett, Soumare is set to join Qatari side Al-Duhail. The deal is expected to be a permanent sale, allowing Leicester to recoup funds for a player whose contract was rapidly ticking down.
#lcfc Boubakary Soumare could be Qatar-bound this week with terms close to being agreed with Al-Duhail SC. Leicester keen to reduce wage bill and Soumare among bigger earners. No indication yet if he is keen on the move, or what his personal terms would be, but two clubs talking.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) January 27, 2026
Meanwhile, Evans is temporarily switching sides in order to bridge the gap between youth and senior football. Reliable reports indicate the 17-year-old is in advanced talks to join Northampton Town on a straight loan. His home club. Returning to his birthplace will provide the Fox with the physical rigours of League One football away from the sheltered environment of the Under-21s.
Understand Leicester City forward Jake Evans is in advanced talks to join Northampton Town on loan. #LCFC #ntfc pic.twitter.com/T7ATItEA9j
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 26, 2026
The verdict
While both moves make sense with respect to monetising a fringe asset and blossoming a youngster - they leave the King Power squad precariously thin. Certainly concerning quality!
With Soumare gone and injuries mounting in the middle of the park, Leicester City must prioritize a midfield reinforcement in the final days of the window or risk a depth crisis at a crucial juncture of the season. Not to mention City requiring a capable striker. No worries!