Eder and Musa troubles see Leicester head to Milan
Published:
With just days to go until January’s transfer window slams shut, Claudio Ranieri and his Leicester side are fast running out of time to land a striker.
Ranieri allowed £9m signing Andrej Kramaric to end the season on loan at Hoffenheim, but attempts to find a suitable replacement have come up short thus far.
The Foxes look set to lose out in the race for Sampdoria’s Eder to Inter Milan, while Manchester United are casting a shadow over a deal for CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa.
Reports have emerged late this week however that the Tinkerman has switched his attention once more, this time to AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang.
The 21-year-old, who can play as a forward or winger, has been with i Rossoneri since 2012 after signing from Caen for just £2m.
Premier League leaders Leicester are believed to have tabled a bid of around £11m, offering a profit for AC which has raised an eyebrow or two around the San Siro.
Niang has netted five times in 14 appearances for his side this season, and directly contributed to a tidy eight goals in the same number of games while on loan at Genoa last term.
Leicester boast Jamie Vardy in the traditional number nine role, with Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa operating in the number 10 slot in Ranieri’s preferred 4-4-2 this season.
A failure to oust the latter pair was the reason for Kramaric’s departure, and Niang’s arrival would see Leicester maintain a pacey outlet should Vardy be absent.
With pace and energy two of the must-haves for any member of Ranieri’s side this term, Niang should be able to fit in pretty well at the King Power stadium, while his silky footwork offers the east Midlander’s some extra options on the wing.
Having only turned 21 shortly before Christmas too, Leicester could see his market value skyrocket should he produce the goods on English shores.
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