It’s set to be a busy deadline day for Leicester City. Tonight, they play Plymouth Argyle, as they still chase that elusive first league win of the campaign. Simultaneously, they are also focusing on any last-minute business. Wout Faes, Stephy Mavididi and Woyo Coulibaly could all be set to depart, with millions in wages cleared out. As a result of these exits, it gives City a chance to focus on any new additions; they are already looking at a duo with plenty of EFL experience.
Leicester Advance In Pursuit of Duo with Championship ExperienceOn the move?Russell Martin hasn’t been quiet about his desire to bring new players through the door. “I think there will be some people leave the building, and I think we’ll have some more people in. I couldn’t exactly tell you who or how many,” he said following City’s 0- 0 draw with MK Dons. It seems like this business is on the verge of being complete, as Pete O’Rourke has confirmed City are advancing in their pursuit of two players.
Firstly, the Foxes are poised to sign midfielder John Lundstram. Lundstram was a part of the infamous Sheffield United side who finished ninth in their first season back in the Premier League. He also helped Hull City to promotion last season, featuring 32 times in league action. However, that was only a loan deal, and parent club Trabzonspor are paying off the player’s contract, thus allowing him to leave on a free.
In addition to this, City are also closing in on the signing of Emil Riis. Martin is said to be an admirer of the forward, who currently plays for Bristol City. He is said to have dropped down the pecking order at Ashton Gate, which has opened the door for a move to the East Midlands. Riis has now spent six seasons in the Championship, with a highlight 16-goal campaign being the major standout. He scored 12 last season, and could be just what Leicester need up top.
The right additions?A centre-forward and a midfielder; they are additions that make sense with context. The first few games have already shown that City need more options up top. Admir Bristric, whilst he has looked promising, is still an unknown, and Bobby De-Cordova Reid isn’t the profile that will give his side 15-20 goals a season. Bringing in Riis, who has already shown his quality in the league above, is a smart signing. It also only adds to the competition for places. Finding the back of the net was the major issue at MK Dons; having someone on the end of the onslaught of crosses seems to be the best way forward.
As for Lundstram, he also adds quality. Helping Hull City to promotion last season is a major positive, and that experience could be really helpful with players like Louis Page and Sammy Braybrooke. The one question is: how do Leicester fit all these players in, especially if none of the midfielders is set to leave? Page, Braybrooke, Reid, Liam Cullen, Conor Chaplin and Oliver Skipp are all going to want to play regularly; adding Lundstram in there only confuses the situation more. If someone is to leave, then this does make more sense, and with all the games set to come, having plenty of options is only going to strengthen the Foxes’ ambitions of returning to the Championship.
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