NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT brings you Leicester's transfer update going into the January window.
 |
| laudio Ranieri to strengthen Leicester's flanks in January |
Leicester have enjoyed a stunning start to life under boss Claudio Ranieri, who has lifted the club to top of the table since replacing Nigel Pearson in the summer.
The Foxes have lost just one Premier League game all season, to second-place Arsenal in September, and have held their own against the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United.
And here, NewsNewsBlog Sport takes a look at what we can expect from the Premier League leaders in January…
What do they need?
Leicester have been relatively fortunate in terms of injuries this season, with just Ritchie De Laet, Danny Drinkwater and Jeffery Schlupp causing problems in the first-team.
The Foxes have coped well in the trio’s absence, but will need to strengthen their numbers in attack should they find either Jamie Vardy or Riyad Mahrez on the treatment table.
Vardy has been in fine form with 15 goals this term, but his strike partners Shinji Okazaki, Leonardo Ulloa and Andrej Kramaric have all struggled for consistency - with only five goals between them.
The Foxes also lack depth on the flanks, with just on-loan Swansea winger Nathan Dyer providing cover for both Marc Albrighton and Mahrez, who have been key with a combined total of 15 goals and 13 assists this term.
How much can they spend?
Leicester's owners - Thai businessmen Vichai and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha - have made no secret of their intentions to spend whatever it takes to guide the club to the next level.
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has already advised Ranieri to spend big in January if he is to make a genuine challenge for the title and believes the club's owners have the resources to do so.
He said: “What is the manager Claudio Ranieri saying to the owners? Because if I were him I’d want an investment in January because this is a big opportunity.
“They could win the league the way they are playing at the moment and they have goals in their team. That is not the owners’ problem. The problem for the owners is have they got the money? I think they have.”
 |
| Leicester to renew their interest in Sporting Lisbon outcast Andre Carrillo |
Who might they sign?
Leicester were linked with a move for Peru international Andre Carrillo during the summer, but Sporting Lisbon confirmed they rejected the Foxes’ £9m bid for the winger on transfer deadline day.
But Ranieri’s side are set to make another cut-price move for the 24-year-old, who Sporting value at £11m, in January after his club banned him for refusing to sign an extension on his current deal - which is set to expire in June.
 |
| Leicester could be forced to loan out Gokhan Inler in January |
Who could leave?
Leicester could lose summer signing Gokhan Inler.
The Switzerland captain joined the Foxes to replace Esteban Cambiasso, but has failed to break into the first team due to the form of N'Golo Kante and Drinkwater in the centre of the field.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium in the New Year, with Bundesliga side Schalke interested in a loan move.
Kramaric, the Foxes’ record signing, has also been linked with a temporary move away to Serie A, as he sits behind Vardy, Okazaki and Ulloa in the pecking order.
While French defender Yohan Benalouane could also return to Italy with Sampdoria after being restricted to just three first-team starts this term.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus