Leicester chasing Serie A hotshot for January deal
Published:
Reigning Premier League champions Leicester City look ready for some January transfer activity, according to reports over in Italy.
The Foxes’ head of recruitment Eduardo Macia was spotted at Fiorentina’s clash with Sassuolo on Monday.
And the man he was watching was Gregoire Defrel.
The Sassuolo striker has been in fine form this season, and has 10 goals from 23 appearances in all competitions.
Four assists also hints at the player possessing the kind of team-ethos Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri craves in the East Midlands.
The Italian outfit have already stated that they have received enquiries from English and Italian clubs, but as January approaches, Leicester appear to be the most keen to sign the Frenchman.
The Foxes’ pursuit of Defrel – who can also play on the wing – is the latest indicator that the club-record signing of Ahmed Musa isn’t working out.
The Nigerian arrived for £16m from CSKA Moscow in the summer, but after playing the full 90 minutes in the Premier League opener against Hull, has barely featured.
Musa has started just four games since then, and across the last four fixtures has played just 51 minutes of football.
And worryingly, on the six occasions Musa has played more than 45 minutes in a league game, the Foxes have won just once.
Without him the champions have won two and drawn one of four, including last time out at home to Man City.
Don’t be too surprised then if Defrel’s arrival spells the end of Musa’s short-stint with Leicester, as the Foxes may well be looking to recoup some of that £16m next month.
Ranieri will be hoping his team can build on their superb weekend win over the Citizens when they head to Bournemouth tonight.
But the bookies odds’ of 21/10 for a Leicester victory suggest it won’t be easy at Dean Court.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
