Five players Leicester City should consider signing in repeating the successful transfer tactics

The last time Leicester City were promoted to the Premier League, they took Leonardo Ulloa with them.

The Argentine striker had scored 14 goals for Brighton in the Championship that season, with the Seagulls inflicting two of City’s six defeats. Ulloa himself scored twice in a 4-1 win for Brighton at the King Power Stadium.

After attracting attention, City broke their transfer record to sign Ulloa, bringing him in for £8m. It turned out to be a superb piece of business, with the striker’s 11 Premier League goals decisive in keeping City up.

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Signing impressive players from the Championship doesn’t seem to fail that often. City brought in James Maddison from Norwich and he became their best player. Crystal Palace in particular have enjoyed signing Championship players in recent years with Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton all playing in the top flight.

Other clubs around town have this idea this summer. Tottenham signed Archie Gray, Aston Villa welcomed back Jaden Philogene, Southampton took Nathan Wood and Ipswich brought in Jacob Greaves.

If City wanted to participate, who could they sign? Here are some standout players from the Championship who could yet receive a move to the Premier League.

Gabriel Sara

Along with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Southampton play-off hero Adam Armstrong, Norwich attacking midfielder Gabriel Sara was one of three players to reach double figures for goals and assists in the Championship last season. The other two are playing in the Premier League next season and it seems the 25-year-old Brazilian deserves his shot too.

Beyond the main stats, Sara was the only player in the division to rank in the top 10 for key passes, final third passes and passes into the penalty area, while he has a decent set-piece delivery on him too. Given City’s need for an attacking midfielder, he could be worth a look.

Jack Clarke

Few players have caused City defenders as much trouble as Sunderland’s Jack Clarke at the King Power Stadium last October. And they were far from the only back line that had problems with the winger.

He was by far the best dribbler in the division, completing 176 carries in the penalty area. For context, Stephy Mavididi was second for that stat, but only with 109. Clarke also scored 15 goals, and while he only had four assists, that was partly due to his teammates’ finishing. He ranked sixth in the division for key passes, one place behind Dewsbury-Hall.

If City want competition for Mavididi on the left, Clarke looks a great option. Perhaps too young for the Premier League when he first left Leeds for Tottenham, Clarke is now 23 and ready for another shot.

Sammie Szmodics

It wouldn’t usually feel like a gamble to sign the Championship’s top goalscorer, but it does with Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics. A total of 27 clean sheets – eight more than any other player in the league – should have clubs scrambling to sign the attacking midfielder, but perhaps clubs are shying away from the fact that his superb year is a unique one.

Before last season, Szmodics’ best league scoring campaign was six goals. He’s also now 28, so he wouldn’t have the resale value that most Championship-to-Premier League signings would have.

However, to score so many goals for a struggling team is truly exceptional and he has shown that he has a knack for getting into position to find the back of the net. If a deal could be done cheap enough, he’s worth the gamble.

Hayden Hackney

City have been linked with Oliver Skipp, so if they are looking for a Harry Winks-type midfielder to bolster their ranks, then Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney is a good choice. The England Under-21 international is headed for the top.

He’s only had two full championship seasons and yet he’s already one of the best passers in the league, showing a great ability to pick a man and get the ball into deep attacking areas. Also carries the ball well. What may deter clubs in the short term are injury problems last season, which limited him to just 21 league outings.

Long live Hume

Depending on the line-up Steve Cooper plays and if Victor Kristiansen leaves, City could need a new defender this summer. Among the best young options in the Championship is Sunderland’s Trai Hume.

He’s a right-back from a point of view, which may turn City off given their current two best full-backs are right-handed in Ricardo Pereira and James Justin, but both can play on the left, as can Hume . There is a lot to like about the Northern Ireland international.

He led the league last season for combined tackles and interceptions, showing his defensive qualities, but he also ranked very well for forward passes. If he can chip in with a few assists then he would be an excellent full back.

Which player on this list should City sign? Click here to have your say.