In a rapid sequence of events, Leicester City has unveiled three new signings in just four days, marking a significant shift under the leadership of manager Steve Cooper.
As he strives to rejuvenate the squad, Cooper faces the challenge of working within financial constraints, necessitating player sales to maintain budget balance.
The Leicester City squad is shaping up well but still needs some final touches. The team announced three new signings within four days earlier this month, and Wilfred Ndidi recently extended his contract. Additionally, Abdul Fatawu has finalized his deal.
However, to be fully prepared for the upcoming season and the anticipated survival battle, the team requires a few more quality signings. Enhancing the squad’s quality with new recruits should boost confidence in their ability to defy the odds and remain in the league.
With the first official pre-season match just a week away, the urgency for signings is palpable, as Steve Cooper gears up to fine-tune his strategy and style. Fortunately, there are still five weeks until the Premier League kicks off, and additional time beyond that to complete transfers. Here’s what Leicester City needs to address by the end of August.
Top Transfer Priority: Attacking Midfielder
Leicester City’s main focus is securing an attacking midfielder to replace the goals and assists formerly provided by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. They need a player who can link the deeper midfielders with the wingers and strikers, but obtaining a top-tier player in this role will be costly.
Matias Soule, a standout performer for Juventus despite playing for a relegated club on loan, is a prime target. Acquiring him would likely require an investment of at least £25m, a substantial portion of their budget. Additionally, competition from Roma, Soule’s preferred destination, poses a challenge. However, Juventus favors a sale to an overseas club, which could work in Leicester’s favor.
Celtic’s Matt O’Riley is another potential candidate, though he would also come with a similar price tag, and interest from numerous major clubs complicates the pursuit. Atalanta, the Europa League winners, are currently leading the race for O’Riley.
Additional Transfer Needs
Once an attacking midfielder is secured, Leicester City can focus on other areas. Two positions are particularly crucial.
If Ricardo Pereira is to be utilized as a midfielder or if Victor Kristiansen departs, a new full-back will be necessary. Both scenarios are plausible, with Cooper possibly valuing Ricardo’s midfield contributions and Kristiansen potentially seeking a move after his successful stint with Bologna.
While players like Hamza Choudhury can cover at full-back, the Premier League’s demands may require a specialist in the position, especially against top-tier wingers.
Striker Options and Considerations
Leicester City currently has three dedicated strikers: Jamie Vardy, Patson Daka, and Tom Cannon, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid also capable of playing up front. If Cooper opts for a single-striker formation, these options might suffice.
However, the quality and variety of the strikers are under scrutiny. Vardy, Daka, and Cannon share similar playing styles. If Cooper, as he occasionally did at Nottingham Forest, decides to employ a two-striker setup, an alternative striker with a different skill set would be beneficial.
