As we approach the end of the summer 2023 transfer window, the Foxes have already done an enormous amount of business rebuilding the squad. However, if the papers are to be believed, we’re nowhere near done with our dealings. Let’s take a quick look at who is in, who is out, and who is…wait, those are really the two options, aren’t they? Let’s look at who might be arriving and who might be leaving.
Yunus Akgün – DONE DEAL. We can be certain that Akgün is in the fold since he appeared as a substitute in Tuesday’s cup win against Tranmere Rovers. Akgün is a very small, very tricky attacking midfielder who can play on either wing or in the middle. He’s on loan from Galatasaray with an obligation to buy if he reaches certain playing time thresholds.
Abdul Fatawu – DONE DEAL. The Ghana winger arrives on loan from Sporting CP. The attacking midfielder/striker is only 19 years old and already a full international. This deal was just completed, so there is some question as to the terms of the loan. He has a €60 million reserve clause, so one suspects a) he’s very, very exciting, and b) he’s going back to Sporting in June.
James McAtee – He’s linked to Leicester largely because of the Maresca connection. He spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and they are very much the front runners to bring the midfielder back into the fold. Very unlikely.
Sydney van Hooijdonk – This is a new rumour and I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in it as he literally just signed for Bologna this year. I’d love for there to be something to do this as I love the name (yes, he’s the son of Pierre van Hooijdonk). I’d rate the likelihood at “very, very unlikely.”
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Tom Cannon – There are a lot of rumours floating around the Everton striker, which is really odd given that he had a decent go on loan at Preston North End last season. You add that to the fact that Everton have scored (checks notes) zero goals in the league in three matches…it’s curious to see them considering letting a young attacking player go, right? There’s a lot of competition for his signature, so let’s call this “unlikely.”
Ilias Chair – It’s not going to happen. Let it go.
Outgoing:
Timothy Castagne – DONE DEAL. He’s a Brighton and Hove Albion player now. I never felt like our tactics under Rodgers suited him at all and, given his body language, I think he felt the same way. He never gave anything less than 100% for us. I wish him well.
Viktor Kristiansen – DONE DEAL. The Danish defender is currently on loan at Bologna.
Kelechi Iheanacho – West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Everton are all rumoured to be in the Seniorman. Our asking price is £20m, which feels too low and, given what we got for Barnes and Madders, about right. I hate the idea of losing the King of the FA Cup, but I would rate these rumours, collectively, as “highly probable.”
Patson Daka – Bournemouth’s interest has cooled, but there’s still a very good chance he’ll leave the King Power on September 1. He does not appear to be part of Enzo Maresca’s plan and he is currently on the joint second-largest wage packet in the Championship. A loan to a continental side seems likely.
Luke Thomas – Celtic, among others, have shown interest in Thomas who has been on the verge of earning a regular position in the side for years now without ever being fully convincing. Let’s call this one a 50/50.
Wilfred Ndidi – I’ll be hurt if Wilf leaves. He has apparently agreed to terms with Forest and rumour has it the Liverpool are going to make a late bid. The spoiler here is that Ndidi has figured heavily in Maresca’s system as a #8 and, wonder of wonders, he seems to be thriving. That said, I think it’s more likely than not that he’ll leave.
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Wout Faes – Spurs are looking for a possible replacement for Eric Dier and, not gonna lie, Faes would fill that role brilliantly. We can’t do this unless we bring in another defender and it would be hard to overstate just how important Faes has been this season. I think this is unlikely unless we bring in another central defender.
Harry Souttar – Harry, we hardly knew ya. He’s not in Maresca’s reckoning right now and Rangers are in for him. He’s a perfect fit for Ibrox, so don’t be surprised if this happens.
