Simply staying in the division will be Leicester City’s main objective when they make their Premier League return for the 2024/25 season. To help them achieve this, Enzo Maresca will no doubt be looking at bolstering his squad during the summer transfer window. Although the Foxes have been placed under an EFL transfer embargo, it has been reported that the Premier League is not currently planning on extending this. As a result, new faces could well be arriving at the King Power this summer.
The situation may change though, especially as the club launched ‘urgent’ legal proceedings against the Premier League regarding their alleged spending offences. Depending on how this plays out, the Foxes may need to offload some of their more attractive assets in the summer to avoid further punishment.
With this rather messy situation hanging over the club, it is unclear how much money Leicester will have available for summer transfers. Heavy losses sustained in recent years though would indicate them being limited to low-cost deals, loans or free transfers. Bearing this in mind, here are some possible targets Leicester might want to consider for the upcoming transfer window.
Striker
Despite only starting 18 times in the league (and playing just one full match) Jamie Vardy finished the season as Leicester’s top scorer. Now aged 37, he has still been able to play an important role for the Foxes but it is clear they cannot rely on him as frequently as they used to. It should also be remembered that he only managed three Premier League goals from 37 league matches in the 2022/24 campaign, a sign that the physicality of the top division is perhaps now getting the better of him. So, even if he stays, which there is some real doubt about, he will not be a regular league starter.
Ché Adams
Combine this with the fact that Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract runs out in the summer, Maresca could be in desperate need of a striker. One possible option, providing Southampton do not secure promotion, is Ché Adams. The Scot’s contract runs out this summer and he is a man with a good amount of Premier League experience. His record at this level is relatively respectable too given how he was regularly playing for a struggling side.
Michy Batshuayi
Another possible free agent who may offer appeal is Michy Batshuayi. Currently playing for Fenerbahce, a move back to England could be tempting given he was physically attacked on the pitch recently by Trabzonspor fans. He does have some Premier League experience and despite never being a regular starter, his goals-per-minute ratio is very credible. Factor in his international pedigree for Belgium too and you have yourself a capable ‘on the shoulder’ striker potentially available for nothing.
Central Defender
Leicester City enjoyed the best defensive record in the Championship over the 2023/24 seasons, so you may be wondering why we are recommending they sign a new centre-back in the summer window. Although Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes have formed a solid partnership, the pair were liabilities during their Premier League days. Faes looks a better player now but Vestergaard will be a concern given his limited mobility as he has rarely looked particularly comfortable in the English top flight.
Gabriel Pereira
To offer competition if nothing else, one realistic budget option is Gabriel Pereira from Portuguese side Gil Vicente. Young, two-footed, comfortable on the ball and a strong tackler, the Brazilian is a man with real potential. He’s been a regular in the Portuguese Primeira Liga this season and looks capable of making another step up.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Alternatively, for another mobile centre-back option, a loan move for Taylor Harwood-Bellis could be worth exploring. The Man City youngster impressed on loan for Southampton and the £20m buy clause is only triggered if the Saints achieve promotion back to the Premier League. Should this not happen, it is hard to see him returning to St Mary’s next season.
Central Midfielder
There have been reports that Leicester may need to sell some of their more valuable assets in order to comply with financial regulations this summer. From an accounting perspective, selling academy graduates makes the most sense. Subsequently, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the most obvious Leicester sacrifice, and his departure would leave a huge gap in the centre of midfield.
André Gomes
When also considering Wilfried Ndidi’s contract expires this summer, the middle of the park could become a real weak spot for the Foxes if they are not careful. In terms of free targets for this role, André Gomes, who looks set to leave Goodison Park this summer, is one option. After being left out in the cold during the first half of the season, the Portuguese international enjoyed something of a mini-comeback and made some important contributions. Admittedly, he does not look quite the same player following his horrific leg break but he still has something to offer a newly promoted side. Whether he wants to stay in England though is another matter entirely.
Thomas Cairney
Another possibility for Leicester would be to try and swoop in for Fulham’s Thomas Cairney. He has not been a regular starter for the Cottagers over the last couple of seasons and now aged 33, the London club might be willing to let him go cheaply while he only has one year left on his contract.
Olivier Skipp
We also like the possibility of the more defensive-minded Olivier Skipp who has struggled to get any meaningful minutes for Tottenham Hotspur this year. A loan move may be more likely given Leicester’s budget but Spurs may be reluctant to get rid given their shortage of homegrown players.