Leicester City are targeting up to three new arrivals, prioritizing central defenders, before the August 2026 transfer deadline. Manager Russell Martin is reshaping his squad following Ben Nelson’s injury and expected exits to secure crucial defensive reinforcements for the season ahead.
Oliver Skipp has started in midfield, but recent analysis notes: “, there’s too much going wrong around him. But Championship interest has been present all summer and after signing from Tottenham, he’s likely to be one of the club’s highest-earners. The right fee would be a dream outcome.
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Who replaces him? Justin Devenny was a potential midfield target earlier in the window but he remains at Crystal Palace, while Liverpool’s James McConnell is reportedly wanted by City and a host of Championship teams. Other academy midfielders who could be available are Manchester City’s Charlie Gray (88.7% pass completion in Premier League 2) and Manchester United’s Jacob Devaney.
Will Smallbone remains without a club after leaving Southampton and on paper, seems like the perfect arrival after working with Martin. However, Championship clubs have been showing interest recently and it’s likely that his wage demands will be high.
There is little need for further additions in the attacking line, with Martin having options at left wing, right wing and in the two attacking midfield positions. It’s more probable to see movement the other way before the deadline, with Stephy Mavididi the subject of interest from an unnamed club.
The winger, like Faes, missed the game against County due to speculation around his future, with this window feeling like the right time for him to depart Leicester are well-equipped on the left this season with Will Alves and Tommy Watson.
View 3 Images A transfer that is likely to be out of Leicester’s control, in terms of the player leaving, is Louis Page. The 18-year-old has strong interest from Manchester United and Arsenal , with one bid already being rejected by City. Some may argue that Page’s future becomes harder to justify if he cannot get into Martin’s matchday squad, as was the case at Meadow Lane.
If City do sell Page, they are on course to receive another decent sum for one of their academy graduates.
Finally, the striker conundrum. Admir Bristric’s arrival has softened the desperate need for a new No.9, but in a dream world, another striker will come in. Cullen and Bobby De Cordova-Reid have been mentioned as solutions in the position by Martin, but both share similar traits.
Free agents Elijah Adebayo and Bamba Dieng remain available, as does Jamie Vardy, although the Foxes legend isn’t expected to be under consideration. Exeter City’s Jayden Wareham has been the subject of a bid by Wycombe Wanderers this week, which was rejected, and could be an option after scoring 19 goals in League One last term.
In terms of outgoings, Nathan Opoku could still leave the club. The 25-year-old hasn’t been part of Leicester’s squad in the first two games of the season and played for the Under-21s last Friday. With just one year left on his contract, a permanent exit seems likely.
Josh Holland is the Leicester City reporter for LeicestershireLive and the Leicester Mercury. Taking over in 2026, Josh has contributed to coverage over the past two seasons, as the Foxes gained promotion to the Premier League in 2023 before suffering back-to-back relegations. He will bring you the very latest from Seagrave and the King Power Stadium, as the quest to get out of League One gets underway.
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Expect intense transfer activity at the King Power Stadium over the final days of the window as Martin builds a squad ready for promotion.
