Leicester City are a club that have become a force to reckon with ever since their 2015/16 shock Premier League title triumph. Although they haven’t quite reached that level the past few years, they are punching well above their weight now, and since the addition of manager Brendan Rodgers to the side, they have qualified for European football twice in two seasons and added an FA Cup win to it this season.
However, in the last couple of years, Leicester City’s recruitment strategy has been something of a marvel to teams across Europe. Signing underrated gems like Wesley Fofana, Youri Tielemans, Wilfried Ndidi, Harvey Barnes and many others are just examples of the excellent scouting and recruitment policy that the East Midlands club has, which has been a driving force for their recent success.
Now, Leicester City are looking to be successful once again in the transfer market, as they look for a new centre-back to fill in the defence, with their captain and veteran centre-back Wes Morgan having hung up his boots at the end of the 2020/21 season and fellow defender Christian Fuchs leaving for MLS. Here is a list of centre-backs that we think the club might go for and could be the perfect fit for the team:
Jonathan Tah
The Bayer Leverkusen defender has been linked to Leicester City extensively this summer according to reports in Germany. The German international has been linked with a host of clubs and Leicester could be a possible destination for him. Tah is expected to be available for less than €35 million after his release clause expired last season. Bayer Leverkusen could let the defender go this summer if a move for Mainz defender Jeremiah St Juste were to materialise.
James Tarkowski
Leicester City have had a long-standing interest in the Burnley defender, and have tried to sign him on previous occasions too. However, a £50 million price tag slapped by Burnley on the defender put off Leicester and they had to drop their interest in him, instead going for Fofana. This season could see their interest renewed and this could finally be the summer that they get the English international, who has been the mainstay of the Burnley defence for past few seasons.
Tarkowski would be a great fit for the team alongside Caglar Soyuncu, as he is great in the air and is a constant threat to other teams on set-pieces. He is a great tackler of the ball and can no doubt strengthen the Leicester defence.
Merih Demiral
Turkish international Merih Demiral is currently playing with European giants Juventus but could be on his way out of the club this summer, as the Italian club look at a mass squad overhaul after a disappointing season that saw them lose out on the Scudetto for the first time in 9 years. Leicester City were reported to have tabled a bid of more than £30 million for the youngster last summer, but it was rejected by Juventus.
He is strong and is good in snuffing out danger. He has played besides Soyuncu in the Turkish team and can easily fit in his beside him. If Leicester were to get him, it would be a brilliant signing, also considering the fact that he is just 23 and is yet to hit his prime.
Ozan Kabak
Another Turkish international linked with Leicester City, Kabak spent the second half of the season at Liverpool, on loan from parent club Schalke. His time at Liverpool came to an end after the club decided not to pursue a permanent deal for the £18 million rated defender. Kabak made 13 appearances for the Merseyside club, before injury ended his season early. He had been solid for the club, although he took a couple of games to adjust to the difference between German and English football.
Still only 22, he will only develop further, and Leicester City would be the perfect place for the young Turk. Schalke were relegated this season to the second-tier of German football, and a financial crisis could force the club to sell Kabak.
Jannik Vestergaard
The Southampton defender enjoyed another good season at the St. Mary’s, however his future is uncertain right now and he could be on his way out. The giant defender has been linked to many Premier League clubs with Leicester City among them. His contract situation could mean that the Foxes could get the Danish defender for cheap. Vestergaard was linked with Leicester in January 2020 and although that move never came to fruition, it could happen this summer as Leicester look to strengthen their defence and get a Champions League qualification.
