Leicester’s search for added firepower leads them to ex-Blackburn flop
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They may have been heavily linked with a deal for Ahmed Musa this week, but it seems Leicester are continuing their prowl for another striker, with Fiorentina man Nikola Kalinic the latest man linked with a move to the King Power Stadium.
The player’s agent, Tomislav Ergic has revealed Leicester’s apparent interest in the Croatian, who endured a difficult two years with Blackburn in the Premier League.
Ergic is quoted as saying: “It is true, we are aware of the interest from Leicester. Anything is possible, it is true, but there is no need to rush. The transfer window has only just opened.”
The Foxes have already landed three new acquisitions this summer, including Nampalys Mendy , Luis Hernandez and Ron-Robert Zeiler, while only a medical stands between Musa and a Leicester shirt.
Kalinic netted only a handful of times during a trying spell at Ewood Park between 2009 and 2011, before kick-starting his career with Dnipro in Ukraine.
A move to Fiorentina last summer continued the revitalisation, where the 28-year-old netted a goal every three games as La Violas finished fifth in Serie A.
A solid turn for the national team at Euro 2016 ensured he remained on scout’s radars, and Kalinic also netted a goal in the impressive win over Spain.
Quite where he fits in to Leicester’s strategy, with Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa seemingly staying put, remains to be seen but as the club prepare to juggle a Premier League title defence with a first foray into the Champions League, it’s clear Ranieri and co are exploring all options ahead of the campaign.
Valued at just over £11m by transfermarkt.co.uk, and with a contract running until 2019, Leicester would be forced to pay something nearing £20m should wish to hand Kalinic a second chance at Premier League football.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
