Leicester make Everton enquiry after Eriksson misses out on Keane
Published:Sven Goran Eriksson is desperate to add some firepower to his Leicester City ranks and has now turned his attentions to Everton striker Jermaine Beckford.
The former England manager had hoped to sign Robbie Keane from Spurs, but with the Irishman heading to LA Galaxy, Eriksson has tabled a £3million bid to bring Beckford to the King Power stadium.
Beckford, who joined the Toffees on a free transfer from Leeds United last summer, scored eight goals in his debut season in the Premier League, but Eriksson believes he can improve on that strike rate by dropping down to the Championship.
On the Foxes’ need for a striker the Swede said, “The target is to find a striker who can score us 20 goals in a season.”
“But it will be difficult because it is not always about money – the problem is that we are in the Championship.”
Eriksson has already failed with moves to sign Keane, Aston Villa’s Emile Heskey, Bristol City’s Nicky Maynard and Shane Long before he made the move from Reading to West Brom.
The Foxes kicked off their Championship campaign with a 1-0 away win at Coventry, but last weekend’s 2-0 home loss to Reading has highlighted the need to add some goals to Eriksson’s expensively assembled ranks.
Leicester are currently at 5/1 to win the Championship and at 6/4 to secure promotion to the Premier League, with Eriksson fully aware their chances will be enhanced by a player with Beckford’s goal record.
The 27-year-old managed his 8 goals in just 14 starts last season for Everton and during his Leeds days he hit a total of 72 league goals in 116 starts for the Yorkshire club.
