[Round up] Two Leicester players eyed by big clubs amid more potential exit reports

In this instalment of our Transfer Roundup, Football Transfer Tavern have gathered three of the biggest stories to have involved Arsenal rec...

In this instalment of our Transfer Roundup, Football Transfer Tavern have gathered three of the biggest stories to have involved Arsenal recently and have provided our thoughts on the reports published.

MADDISON TOP OF THE UNITED WISHLIST

According to reports from ESPN, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to get his squad bolstered in the January window, with the club preparing to back him in the transfer market.

The report suggests that Ed Woodward and the Glazers are not willing to overspend, but accept that the squad is short in the midfield and attacking positions.

However, even though James Maddison joins Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic, Declan Rice, John McGinn and Moussa Dembele in the players United are after, the Red Devils allegedly accept that much of the potential signings will have to wait until next summer.

Verdict

Every week goes by and there appears to be another rumour linking James Maddison away from the club. Yet despite the constant stream of stories linking him away from the club, there doesn’t seem to be anything to suggest that he would leave the club in January – and definitely not to Manchester United.

Obviously, United’s clout needs no introduction due to their relative dominance since the Premier League began, however, nine points from eight games and with such a young team (Transfermarkt), it’s hard to see what Maddison would see in United when he is in such a good point of his career mid-way through a campaign.

BEN CHILWELL TO CHELSEA?

Chelsea are now apparently the front runners to sign Leicester academy prospect Ben Chilwell.

According to the Daily Mail, Chilwell has been identified as a key target for Frank Lampard’s side and could make a move for him as early as January – so long as their ban is lifted by that point.

The story suggests that City were also interested, but their signing of Angelino from PSV has essentially meant they could divert their available funds elsewhere.

Verdict

Even though Chelsea have a clear focus on giving youth a chance at the moment – especially English youth – this deal doesn’t necessarily make sense for the buying club.

Firstly, it’s a position that Chelsea are pretty well stocked and experienced in. Emerson Palmieri has now made himself the first-choice when he is fit, and then they have Premier League champion Marcos Alonso as a back-up. At 25 and 28 respectively, neither are too old and unless one of them moves on then there doesn’t seem much of a need for him.

According to WhoScored, Emerson’s five league appearances have earned him the third-best average rating in the squad with 7.22; Alonso’s five appearances have him in fifth, with a score of 7.13. Based on this, Chelsea may fancy looking elsewhere in the squad before left-back – at least until the summer.

IHEANACHO WANTED

According to reports from Fotospor (via Sport Witness), Besiktas’ presidential candidate has met with the agent of Kelechi Iheanacho over a move in January.

It’s suggested that the Nigerian international could leave the club on an 18-month loan deal as he looks to secure first-team football.

Verdict

With Iheanacho now 23 and still not breaking into this Leicester team, it is no surprise to see him linked with a move away from the club.

He has played just 19 minutes in the EFL Cup this campaign and has not featured once in the Premier League.

Given that Leicester paid almost £25m on the forward (Transfermarkt), the club will be keen to get him firing again and improve his current valuation of just £10.8m.

Foxes, what did you make of these rumours? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

source https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leicester-tt-round-up-maddison-wanted-chelsea-after-england-man-besiktas-to-offer-chance-to-flop/