Leicester City are the only Premier League club to not have made a single transfer in the summer window and so risk falling behind their rivals, but the Foxes remain interested in at least three new additions. With the prospect of holding the unwanted title of being the only club in Europe’s top five leagues to have not made a single signing within the realm of possibility, fans and pundits alike are expressing their concern at the Foxes’ lack of activity. However, according to The Telegraph, they are hopeful of addressing this soon, with three players earmarked to join the East Midlands club. John Percy reports that Leicester have Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, PSV Eindhoven’s Noni Madueke and Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley are high on their list of potential signings but, for now, remain “on hold”.
Leicester City Interested in Three Additions Including Chelsea’s Levi Colwill
Stuck in a Stalemate
Despite possessing the financial power and presenting an attractive proposition to potential signings, Leicester are simply unable to conclude deals to improve the squad without outgoings.
Heavily restricted by Financial Fair Play and an unsustainable wage-to-turnover ratio, Leicester are completely dependent on players leaving the club. Several have been touted for sale, with Boubakary Soumare and Jannik Vestergaard amongst those considered to be “expendable”, but as of yet, Brendan Rodgers’ side have been unable to conclude sales.
Read More: Why This Summer Will Be So Important for Leicester City
Added to this is the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Youri Tielemans, who has, according to John Percy, “delayed signing a new contract and is understood to even be reluctant to sign an extension if he does not move this summer”.
“It has now opened up the prospect of Leicester having to consider offers for players they would ordinarily want to keep, such as James Maddison, Kelechi Iheanacho and Castagne”.
Causes for Optimism
However, it is not all negative news for Leicester.
With several weeks of the transfer window remaining there is time to solve their transfer conundrum and ample opportunity to ease the wage bill. Plus, with Chelsea already having signed Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, being on the verge of a deal for Jules Kounde, and looking at a move for Josko Gvardiol, there may well be room for Levi Colwill to depart, much as fans of the Blues may not want to see a talented young academy graduate leave.
So pleased to hear Levi Colwill missed yesterdays training due to minor injury. Was panicking in case of a serious injury or he was being sold. All I want is for Thomas Tuchel to at least look at him & judge him during this tour. pic.twitter.com/M7VfpZ4qSh
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) July 16, 2022
Added to this is the return to full fitness of Wesley Fofana, Jamie Vardy, Jonny Evans and James Justin, Leicester still possess a starting lineup capable of going toe-to-toe with any side.
So, if Brendan Rodgers can indeed produce the “shake-up” he has previously promised, then Leicester could well once again look forward to a successful season.
