Leicester City are targeting a multi-player transfer sweep before the September deadline following their opening 1-1 draw at Notts County. Manager Russell Martin faces an urgent defensive rebuild with Stephy Mavididi and Wout Faes nearing permanent exits this week.
A club insider confirmed: ” interest in him means his future could be wrapped up this week.
For City, they have little need to replace him. Will Alves was outstanding on the left and Tommy Watson is a quality option off the bench. Receiving a fee for Mavididi will be a financial boost and he’ll be remembered for his fine debut season.
Faes’ situation is very similar to Mavididi’s. After returning from his loan spell at AS Monaco and missing this season’s opener, the centre-back could finally depart the club this week.
Fenerbahce, Besiktas, Schalke and Lazio are all said to be showing interest in the Belgian, with admiration in Turkey understood to be there all summer. Playing at the top level is Faes’ priority if he’s to get back in the national team, so any of those four moves would make sense.
Faes has less than a year left on his contract, so this is arguably the best opportunity for City to receive a significant fee for him.
Leicester need a centre-back and they need one that can not only defend, but be comfortable on the ball. Manchester City youngster Kian Noble fits the profile Leicester could be looking for, particularly with two loan places still available (clubs are allowed to name five in matchday squads).
View 4 Images The 19-year-old was a regular for the Under-21s at the Etihad Stadium last season, playing 21 games in Premier League 2. He has been in the first-team squad once, but wasn’t involved under Enzo Maresca in pre-season.
Last season, albeit in academy football, he completed 88.5 passes per 90 (the best in Premier League 2), averaging a pass success rate of 91.1%. In comparison to Leicester’s defenders at County, Harry Souttar completed 90 and Caleb Okoli had 74 – two of the top three in League One.
Another weekend of football has passed and John Souttar is still yet to be involved with Rangers. The centre-back has been linked with Leicester and reports in Scotland have claimed that they are in pole position to sign him ahead of Swansea City.
Souttar wasn’t in the squad for their League Cup win over St. Mirren, despite Derek McInnes making a number of changes. Midfielder Nicolas Raskin was used at centre-back, further raising questions over Souttar’s future.
City’s pressing need for a new centre-back means this sort of deal could progress quickly.
View 4 Images ‌ Mark McGuinness played for Sheffield United in their Championship opener against Birmingham City, despite Chris Wilder previously hinting that he could be allowed to leave the club. The Blades’ long-standing interest in Harry Souttar and Anel Ahmedhodzic could yet open the door for the centre-back to leave.
McGuinness, 25, is a former Arsenal youth player who has experience with Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town. Martin’s backline needs a player with experience at this level, which McGuinness has gained with Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.
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