The Leicester City striker’s transfer decision could be the last domino to fall

Hours after Leicester City lifted the Championship trophy, transfer rumors began, with Preston and their latter-day conquerors Blackburn linked with a loan interest in Tom Cannon.

And it will be an interesting summer indeed for the 21-year-old striker. It is perhaps the case that his future will not be decided until the end of the transfer window, the last domino in the race, and therefore one that may or may not fall depending on what comes next.

It’s clear that Cannon is not only a good forward now, but one who has a very high ceiling. It’s just that, with the quality and experience of City’s other forwards, he was only given an opportunity when others were unavailable.

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In those moments, Cannon showed that he is quick, he is strong, he has an eye for the goal and he can hit the ball cleanly. This last feature was perhaps the most surprising asset of his game, and one that delights fans.

His first goal for the club, against Huddersfield earlier in the year, was a quick strike after a ball bounced on the edge of the box. But it was hit so hard by Cannon that it flew into the net in the blink of an eye. At that point, City supporters jumped on the hype train and called for him to get more opportunities from there until the end of the season.

Because by the end of January, City had Patson Daka back from the Africa Cup of Nations and Jamie Vardy was fit again. Cannon was used sparingly, even as those ahead of him in the pecking order struggled for form in front of goal. For the last game of the season he didn’t even make the bench.

City must be aware they have a talent at hand and ensuring he fulfills his potential must be the aim. But the next step in the plan will be determined by what happens with City’s other forwards.

Kelechi Iheanacho appears to have signaled his departure, so assuming Vardy signs a new contract, City leave them with three strikers. The next decision to make is whether a strike force of Vardy, Daka and Cannon is good enough for the Premier League. If not, then City need to work out how much wiggle room there is in the budget to buy a new striker.

Should a new striker arrive, a loan for Cannon makes sense. Maresca also said he can’t properly accommodate four strikers, so a season in the Championship seems like the right move for the 21-year-old.

There, he can have a full season of football under his belt to refine his game, meaning he is more prepared for the Premier League next year, when he may need to replace Vardy. Having a true successor to Vardy has been a topic for years at City and no one has come close to showing they can fill his boots. But the early signs are good for Cannon.

But if he does, he probably needs chances to improve his game. If City can’t buy a striker this summer and Cannon remains at the King Power Stadium as a third option, getting a game here and there, will he improve? Maybe easy. He would have played under Maresca and tested himself against top defenders. But is that preferable to a season played week after week? It is one of many decisions City must make this summer.

Would you be happy with a three-man strike force of Vardy, Daka and Cannon next season? Let us know in the comments section below.