Leicester City ready to pay £22m to sign ‘excellent’ player as Steve Cooper’s third signing

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Steve Cooper, Manager of Nottingham Forest acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest at Molineux on December 09, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Leicester City is aiming to bolster their attacking lineup with talent from overseas this summer.

The club has experienced a turbulent summer, largely due to the transfer saga of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has now completed a move to Chelsea. Dewsbury-Hall will reunite with former Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes to the 2023/24 Championship title in his first season.

Matias Soule' of Frosinone Calcio during the Serie A TIM match between Frosinone Calcio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Benito Stirpe on May 26, ...

Meanwhile, Steve Cooper’s team has been proactive in the transfer market, nearing the completion of a £12 million deal for Atalanta defender Caleb Okoli. They have also secured the signing of Premier League attacker Bobby De Cordova-Reid after he turned down a contract from Fulham.

Additionally, Leicester City is showing interest in former Coventry City midfielder Callum O’Hare, who was recently released by the Championship club. Despite their lack of wide options this summer, Leicester is looking to strengthen this position by targeting a promising talent from Serie A.

Leicester City interested in Juventus winger Matias Soule

Leicester City is reportedly prepared to invest £22 million in Juventus winger Matias Soule, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Leicester City unveil the new manager Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium on June 21, 2024 in Leicester, United Kingdom.

However, an agreement on the transfer fee between Leicester and Juventus has yet to be reached. The 21-year-old Argentinian spent the last season on loan at Frosinone, alongside Leicester target Caleb Okoli, but the club was relegated from Serie A in the 2023/24 campaign.

Despite Frosinone’s struggles, Soule had a productive season, scoring 11 goals while playing primarily as a winger and occasionally as a centre-forward. Frosinone manager Eusebio Di Francesco praised Soule’s technical skills, noting his exceptional dribbling abilities and overall quality.

The necessity of Steve Cooper bringing wide depth to Leicester City

Currently, Leicester City’s wide options include Stephy Mavididi, Abdul Fatawu, and new signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Adding Matias Soule to the squad would provide crucial depth and competition for Mavididi and Fatawu, neither of whom have Premier League experience.

Despite Frosinone’s relegation last season, Soule’s experience with a struggling team could be beneficial for Leicester. The 21-year-old managed an impressive season, showcasing his potential to make a significant impact in games with his flair and excitement, qualities that could change the course of a match.

Soule could also temporarily address the issue of limited options up front for Steve Cooper, who currently relies heavily on veteran Jamie Vardy. Soule’s goal-scoring prowess was evident last season, demonstrating the high-level quality Leicester City needs as they prepare for the next season.

New Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is focused on building a squad capable of maintaining their Premier League status. The summer began challenging for Leicester with the departures of manager Enzo Maresca and star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea. However, the compensation received—£10 million for Maresca and £30 million for Dewsbury-Hall—has helped the club meet the 30th June PSR deadline.

With these financial concerns addressed, Cooper can now focus on strengthening the squad for their Premier League campaign, with some funds available for new signings despite earlier financial challenges.