Five signings for new Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri at Leicester City
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Following Leicester City’s hiring of notorious Italian ‘tinkerman’, Claudio Ranieri as manager, Coral preview five possible signings who he could bring in.
If fans remember, they will know that the last time he managed in the Premier League with Chelsea, he bought the likes of Joe Cole, Damien Duff, Hernan Crespo and Juan Sebastien Veron on big budgets as the Roman Abramovich era was just beginning.
The Foxes, also have wealthy owners, though time will tell whether he is quite as frivolous, or indeed allowed to be, with the owners likely targeting Premier League stability after a relegation scare last season.
With this in mind, here are the five targets that we have identified to strengthen Leicester City’s squad and ensure they make progress next term, being priced at 10/3 for a top 10 finish.
Charlie Austin
The East Midlands outfit have reportedly already had a £12m bid turned down for the QPR striker, who is being tracked by a number of clubs. If they increase this to £15m, the likelihood is that it will be accepted and the Foxes will have got themselves a proven Premier League goalscorer.
Sebastian Giovinco
Would be a fantastic coup; we saw Jermain Defoe return from the MLS and his replacement at Toronto, Giovinco could follow suit, having played under Ranieri while at Juventus. At only 28, he still has plenty of years ahead of him and the Foxes could offer him an attractive wage packet.
Mario Balotelli
Again an Italian, though Ranieri has a habit of handling controversial players and putting his arm around them. At Leicester, he would be that big fish and may relish the challenge of getting an ambitious club into the higher echelons of the Premier League. Even for their wealthy owners though, his wages may be a stumbling block.
Younes Kaboul
Said to be one of those players who could leave Spurs, Leicester could be an ideal destination. Equipped with a vast amount of Premier League and Europa League experience, he could be the rock the club need at the back and wouldn’t cost that much.
Lucas Leiva
After Liverpool’s extensive recruitment campaign, with more said to be targeted, those midfielders on the periphery may be deemed surplus to requirements, though Leiva would be an exceptional signing. Although Esteban Cambiasso was fantastic last term and there is uncertainty over the Argentinian’s future, Leiva would be a more than quality replacement.
