Yahoo News Leicester City transfer news: Celtic deal in pipeline as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall explains departure
With a new manager in Steve Cooper and a huge departure in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Leicester City head into the pre-season with plenty of work still to do in the transfer window.
With PSR issues to one side and a side to rebuild after a number of departures, the importance of strengthening the team is now a key priority.
We take a look at all the latest transfer news and rumours surround the club and look at the interest in a former fan favourite in Wilfred Ndidi.
READ MORE: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall writes emotional Leicester City goodbye
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Celtic look at midfielder reunion for Rodgers
Former Leicester City ace Wilfred Ndidi could soon wear the green and white of Celtic, as he has expressed his interest in reuniting with former boss Brendan Rodgers.
Ndidi, a midfield dynamo who attracted attention from Manchester United and Real Madrid during his standout performances in the Premier League, was let go by the Foxes after helping them clinch promotion back to the top flight.
Joining Leicester from Genk in 2017, it was under the guidance of Northern Irishman Rodgers that he produced some of his best football. The Hoops were informed on Monday night about Ndidi's interest in moving to Glasgow for another stint working under Rodgers.
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury back in April 2023, Rodgers didn't hold back when it came to praising Ndidi: "He's obviously a player that's got the good athletic ability and works very hard."
Rodgers also explained the type of player that he values, saying: "I always have that sort of player, a clear, controlling player in the game. Sometimes, they're a defensive type like him that can really press the game and play simply, or sometimes, it's a more creative player, a playmaker from behind. He's got so much talent and been very impressive. He covers the ground so fast. His anticipation is very good, he reads the game, smells the danger, and to have that type of player in there, it's very important.", reports the Daily Record.
The potential stumbling block to any deal could be the wages, with Premier League clubs including Everton showing interest, Celtic might not be able to compete with the millions on offer. However, the prospect of Champions League football could be an enticing factor for the Nigerian player.
Celtic have shown previous interest in his situation and might be prepared to make a significant investment for a player who was once valued at £52m by Leicester in 2021. As recently as 2023, there were rumours that Real Madrid were considering the midfielder for a defensive role, while United had expressed long-term interest in recruiting the Nigerian when he was performing in the Premier League.
Why I joined Chelsea - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrives at Stamford Bridge feeling like a “new player”, with the midfielder labelling Chelsea the best club for his next step.
Dewsbury-Hall has ended 17 years at Leicester City with a £30m transfer to the capital. In West London, he will reunite with Enzo Maresca, the Italian coach helping him to produce the best season of his career last term.
Following City’s Championship title success, for which Dewsbury-Hall won player of the season, the 25-year-old said he feels full of confidence and motivation to show his qualities at the top level again. There is “no better fit” than Chelsea for that.
Read what he had to say about the move here
Who is Michael Golding?
While Leicester City are saying goodbye to one of the best players their academy has produced in recent years in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, they will welcome a talent from the Chelsea youth ranks in return.
In a separate £5m deal, Michael Golding will be moving to the King Power Stadium, and will become the club’s first signing of the summer (unless Abdul Fatawu steals in first). But just who is the 18-year-old midfielder? We’ve taken a closer look at the teenager and where he might fit in at King Power Stadium.
Read our lowdown on the new talent at the King Power
Abdul Fatawu latest
City supporters are anxious to see Abdul Fatawu confirmed as a new signing. Their promotion counterparts Southampton and Ipswich have each already announced the permanent arrivals of one of their loanees from last term, the Saints welcoming back Taylor Harwood-Bellis and the Tractor Boys making Omari Hutchinson their record signing. But so far there’s no sign of Fatawu.
Naturally, with the deal not being announced immediately, there will be a few nerves jangling among fans that there’s been a snag somewhere. But there’s nothing to say that’s the case. It’s just a matter of finding the right time to announce the deal.
Fatawu has been trying his best to announce the £14m switch himself over recent weeks. Speaking in his native Ghana last week, he said he would be playing for City when the new Premier League season begins. A couple of weeks ago, on social media, he posted a series of photos from last season with the caption: “Miss these moments with the lads. Can’t wait to be back soon.”
The City first team are due back in for pre-season from Monday, July 8, and while it’s not yet known if Fatawu will be among the first group back, given he played for Ghana in early June, it seems reasonable to suggest that an announcement will be made nearer to that time. That way, the club have time to take the signing pictures and also ensure that the good news of the winger’s arrival follows the bad news of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s exit.
Richards signs amid multiple youth deals
City’s retained list showed that three young forwards in Amani Richards, Chris Popov, and Kian Pennant were offered new deals before the season concluded, with the trio’s contracts all expiring. Richards has now signed his new deal and will hope to show his talent again in the upcoming campaign.
The 19-year-old, who plays out wide or up front, contributed a goal or an assist in each of City Under-21s’ first six Premier League 2 matches, but only started five of the 14 fixtures after that. He still finished second among the development squad for goal contributions, with eight, one behind Silko Thomas.
With City back in the Premier League, Richards will be one of a number of prospects hoping to get out on loan in the EFL. Loans are an infrequently-utilised option for City, despite their success, with the likes of Dewsbury-Hall, Kasey McAteer, and Ben Nelson all coming into the first team after good spells in the EFL.
It’s expected that Richards is one of a number of young players to have signed a new deal at the club. Usually, City don’t confirm new contracts for development squad players, but it’s understood that they’re preparing an announcement where multiple deals will be announced at once.
That may not be too far away either. The development squad, who do not have a manager after Ben Petty left to join Birmingham as their assistant boss, are due to return to pre-season on Wednesday.
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Sevilla officially say goodbye to Soumare
While City are losing one midfielder in Dewsbury-Hall, they are gaining another in Boubakary Soumare. His loan at Sevilla is officially over now and the Spanish club have shown they do not intend to make his deal permanent.
On Monday, they put up a post on social media with the caption: “Best of luck on your next adventures, guys,” with Soumare among the five players included alongside the message.
According to media in Spain, it’s a matter of cost rather than a matter of interest that has stopped Sevilla making a move for Soumare. The cash City want for the Frenchman is apparently beyond their reach.
That means he will be around for Steve Cooper to take a closer look at in pre-season. With Harry Winks and Hamza Choudhury the only other senior midfield options at the moment, it probably means Soumare will be under greater consideration.
Ramon Sosa bid unsuccessful
Leicester City’s bid for Paraguayan winger Ramon Sosa has been rebuffed by his club’s president.
City are said to have made a £15m offer for Sosa, who plays for Talleres in Argentina. But Andres Fasi, the club’s president is reported to have told local media: “The offers that have arrived do not satisfy what the player represents.”
But it does not seem Talleres are closed off to a sale. Their manager Walter Ribonetto said of Sosa in June: "Obviously, if given the choice, I would prefer to keep him, but I think it’s difficult because of the situation that clubs often need to sell."
