Leicester City move latest as two deals collapse and midfield targets mull

Leicester City continue to be linked with new signings, highlighting the size of the task entrusted to Steve Cooper.

A club that wins the championship is usually well equipped to make some changes, then attack the new season with confidence. In City’s case, the bare bones were removed from the squad as Chelsea snapped up manager Enzo Maresca and star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Some signings have been made to make up for the losses, although Cooper still has work to do to ensure his side are ready for the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur in exactly a month’s time.

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With all that said, Leicestershire Live provides a summary of more recent transfer news and rumors surrounding the King Power Stadium…

Richard Rios

Most recently, City are said to be rivaling Everton for one of Colombia’s Copa America stars, Richard Rios.

A report in South America has highlighted the two Premier League clubs’ move for the central midfielder, although his club Palmeiras are currently unwilling to sell. That said, the 24-year-old’s value has been put at between £12.6m and £16.8m, so any suitors know the cost of a potential deal that needs to be done.

Oliver Skipp

Wanted by both Leicester and Leeds United, Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp wants to start his career at 23. If that means securing a move from North London, then so be it.

However, much to Cooper’s frustration, it appears a transfer will be blocked by Spurs, ending all hopes before a saga can really begin. This is due to Skipp’s homegrown status, making him a valuable squad player for the European competition in the upcoming campaign.

Mathias Soule

Again, to the detriment of Leicester, another avenue appears to be closing and there is little to be said in the matter.

The pursuit of young Argentine winger Matias Soule has excited fans in recent weeks, with the Foxes competing for his signature alongside AS Roma. It initially looked like whoever matched Juventus’ first asking price would win the race, but now it appears the 21-year-old’s preference for Roma will knock City out of the race entirely.

Rather than a sporting decision, the Italian media is reporting it as a decision about his livelihood and the ease of relocating to the same country rather than another move abroad.

Tiago Gouveia

In a blast from the past, the Foxes were said to have renewed their interest in Benfica’s Tiago Gouveia at the start of July. The midfielder was first linked with a loan move when Enzo Maresca first took charge in the summer of 2023, although nothing materialized there.

The same fresh report from Portugal stated that Cooper and Co, along with Everton and Fulham, were tempted to convince their midfield team-mate Florentino Luis to take a move to the Premier League.

The defensive-minded individual had also previously been on Nottingham Forest’s radar and could be open to a new challenge as he figures into Roger Schmidt’s plans.

Matt O’Riley

Once Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall left the King Power Stadium, Celtic’s Matt O’Riley was first credited with replacing him in the Foxes’ engine.

With big shoes to fill, the Denmark international has been backed to chip in with his predecessor’s goals and assists without a hitch. The only problem that could stand in the way of O’Riley and a move to the East Midlands would be his club’s huge £50million price tag, which was said to have put off Brighton when they made an earlier approach.

Martin Braithwaite

With a potential attacking signing on Cooper’s agenda, a return to English football, perhaps even with City, has been mooted for former Middlesbrough and Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite.

He had scored 22 goals for RCD Espanyol last season, who later achieved promotion. But rather than stay, the 33-year-old was to ensure his fate lay elsewhere by personally triggering his own release clause.

Since his connections, it is said that he is now on the verge of signing for Olympiacos, the winner of the Europa Conference League. Of course, Leicester recruited Bobby Decordova-Reid around that time as an alternative free agent.

Ramon Sosa

Before Cooper made any additions, one player who was rumored to be his first signing was Ramon Sosa. The Paraguayan air lit up the Copa America at the time and media reports began to build his profile in Europe.

The Sun claimed the Foxes were making initial progress having been informed of his club Talleres’ willingness to do business for £15m. Newcastle United, Everton and Chelsea have also been linked, although that deal has not materialized since the rumor first began.

How many more signings do Leicester need before the window closes? Let us know in the comments section HERE