Leicester City transfer news and gossip with £14.5m deal expected and farewell to defender target

The transfer window doesn’t officially open until next month and Enzo Maresca, speaking ahead of Chelsea’s interest, said Leicester City would have a “low-key” summer of business, but that hasn’t stopped speculation.

Here, we break down the rumors that have emerged so far and assess the likelihood of the players involved representing the club next season. You can also voice your opinion in the comments section HERE.

Abdul Fatawu

This could be City’s biggest deal of the summer and it’s one that looks set to happen. In Portugal, Sporting boss Ruben Amorim spoke as if Fatawu’s departure was already confirmed. The wing dynamo is very likely to return to City in the new season for a price of around £14.5m.

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Alex Berenguer

But with Marc Albrighton leaving and Yunus Akgun not returning, just signing Fatawu to join Stephy Mavididi and Kasey McAteer among the club’s wide options may not be enough. And perhaps it comes as no surprise that City, along with several other clubs, have been linked with Athletic Bilbao’s Berenguer. He will be available on a free transfer as things stand, but Athletic still hope they can convince him to stay.

Christos Mandas

There is a danger that City will sell players in June to comply with financial regulations, and links with Lazio goalkeeper Mandas only make sense if Mads Hermansen is one of those leaving. The Dane is a true modern goalkeeper and looks destined for the top, so he could command a decent fee. But while Mandas also looks like a talent, City fans will be hoping the club don’t sign him. They would prefer to keep Hermansen.

Gabriel Pereira

An impressive player at the back for Gil Vicente in Portugal this season, Brazilian centre-back Pereira has attracted the attention of several clubs, including City. And it looks like he’ll be on the move this summer after bidding farewell to his team-mates. City aren’t desperate for numbers in defence, with Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Ben Nelson in the squad and Jannik Vestergaard expected to sign a new contract, but the extra quality at the back wouldn’t go amiss with the club about to face a lot. more talented batch of strikers in the Premier League.

Ibrahim Maza

Where City look short of numbers is in their attacking midfield positions. With Yunus and Dennis Praet leaving, and Wilfred Ndidi likely to return to a defensive role if he stays at the club, they could do with some new faces in the area behind the striker. An interesting name that has emerged in this position is Maza, a Germany under-19 international who plays in Bundesliga 2 for Hertha Berlin and could be sold this summer to help his club balance their books. But while he could be one for the future, he may not be ready to start at Premier League level.

Which position is most important for City to strengthen this summer? Tell us in the comments HERE