Leicester City and Matias Soule transfer state of play as Foxes linked with ‘new Angel di Maria’

Leicester City’s reported interest in Matias Soule has generated considerable excitement, with the process of fortifying the Foxes’ Premier League side already well underway.

The Argentine happens to have played 37 games with City’s latest signing, defender Caleb Okoli, with whom he spent last season on loan at Frosinone.

However, Juventus must deal if they are to secure what would be the most eye-catching signing of the summer so far.

Here is the latest…

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Who is he?

A 21-year-old striker who was born in the Argentinian city of Mar del Plata and was picked up by Velez Sarsfield as a youngster. He has played age-group football for Argentina, but also holds dual citizenship and is eligible for Italy. He has played much of his football as a right winger but has decent experience playing more centrally.

He played 21 times for Juve, who he joined in 2020, and last season was on loan at newly promoted Frosinone, for whom he scored 11 times and added three assists. He has been likened to compatriot Angel Di Maria.

Who is interested and how much does it cost?

City’s interest first surfaced around a month ago, with various sources in Italy claiming to have uncovered it. He has also been linked with Aston Villa and Newcastle United. A recent report from Corriere dello Sport has added Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to the mix. Rome and Marseilles were also linked.

Most reports cited a valuation of €25m (£21m), one that would mean the city needs to ensure the profitability and sustainability calculations for the relevant accounting period are correct.

The interest of the city

The Foxes are ready to make a €25m offer, according to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio. He says City have indicated they are willing to make a big offer for the 21-year-old.

Wednesday’s (July 10) edition of Corriere dello Sport reiterated City’s interest with Sport Witness translating the story and saying “‘everybody’s crazy'” about the youngster.

Juventus position

Soule returned to pre-season training this week and new Juventus manager Thiago Motta is keen to keep him and potentially sees him start, just ahead of established Italy international Federico Chiesa.

Our view

LeicestershireLive reporter Jordan Blackwell says: “Given Soule’s goal-scoring, creativity and ball-carrying qualities, as well as his ability to improve, his arrival would be a huge statement for City. He played mostly on the right wing in the last term, cutting off his left foot, as did Abdul Fatawu, but also played centrally as a support forward towards the end of the campaign.”

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