The newest Leicester City transfer news is that clubs can arrange pre-contracts with abroad players who have six months left on their contracts during the January window.
The focus is shifting to the January transfer window, with teams working hard behind the scenes to prepare for any prospective transactions.
Following a quiet summer transfer window, Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers appears to be more optimistic about being able to complete deals in the winter, which has been a rarity under the Northern Irishman. The manager’s last January signing was a loan deal for Ryan Bennett in 2020.
The club completed just two deals in the summer, with third-choice goalkeeper Alex Smithies signing on a free transfer, while Wout Faes joined from Reims in a £15 million deal. The impact of the center-back on the team’s form has raised hopes that any new faces in January can have a similar effect.
While January will be used to try to sign players for the rest of the season, it can also be used to plan for the summer transfer window. According to the rules, clubs can enter into negotiations with any abroad players who have less than six months left on their contracts with their current clubs.
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Leicester City was linked with an interest in the Lyon midfielder back in the summer, with the 24-year-old cited as a possible replacement for Youri Tielemans. Reports linking Aouar with City re-emerged last month.
It was claimed that the club is ‘pressing’ to sign the midfielder on a free transfer in the summer. If that is the case, talks with Aouar could open in the new year.
Since selling Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City in 2018, the club has been looking for a winger to replace him. Rachid Ghezzal and Cengiz Under came and went, but the position remains a priority for City heading into the January transfer window.
If City is willing to wait another six months for a free signing, then they could possibly make a move for Lille’s Jonathan Bamba. The 26-year-old has just six months remaining on his contract which means he could agree on a pre-contract with City from January.
Caglar Soyuncu’s expected departure at the end of his contract implies that City will be seeking defensive reinforcements in the summer. They could also use January to finalize a deal for Stafan de Vrij.
According to Italian media, City is one of two Premier League clubs, along with Aston Villa, interested in the Dutchman ahead of the winter transfer season. The 30-year-old is nearing the end of his Inter Milan contract, which means he might sign a pre-contract in the Premier League in January.
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