Caleb Okoli was one of several players to join Leicester City during the summer of 2024.
The Foxes have greatly improved their first-team squad for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Steve Cooper replaced Enzo Maresca in the dugout at the King Power Stadium at the end of last season and was faced with the unenviable task of preparing Leicester City for a relegation battle.
Star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sold to Chelsea and several other players left the club on free transfers.
Leicester have since made nine new signings over the last several months in a bid to stave off the threat of relegation.
The Midlands outfit spent around £86m on players in the most recent transfer window, one of which was Caleb Okoli.
Okoli left Serie A side Atalanta BC for Leicester in a move that is believed to have set the Foxes back around £14m.
Why Caleb Okoli joined Leicester City
The centre-back was left on the bench for Leicester’s opening two Premier League fixtures.
However, Okoli made his Premier League debut for Leicester vs Aston Villa this past weekend.
He played the full 90 minutes and performed well despite Unai Emery’s side scoring two goals.
Now, as per Leicestershire Live, the stopper has revealed that he had interest from the Serie A ahead of moving to the King Power but turned it down as his dream was to play in the Premier League.
He said: “I was given the chance to play in the Premier League. I am happy with my decision and can’t wait to consolidate myself in the Premier League. Now, however, I am totally focused on the national team.
“I am convinced I’ll get a lot of experience on a European level at Leicester. I play in the Premier League and I am happy. I think this experience will give me a lot, and I’m ready to bring what I’ve learned here.
“In truth, I received some calls (from Serie A clubs), but my dream was always to play in the Premier League. I’ve always wanted to play there and when I had the chance, I took it.”
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Steve Cooper now has big Caleb Okoli call to make
After making his Premier League debut, Okoli has linked up with Italy for the September international break.
When club football returns, Leicester face off with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in a 3pm kick-off on September 14th.
In his first two league games this season, Cooper started Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes as his main centre-back pairing.
However, the former was dropped to the bench in place of Okoli for the clash with Aston Villa on August 31st.
Vestergaard is a very experienced defender and Leicester may need that as they aim to navigate the Premier League with a fairly weak squad.
But Okoli’s performance last week cannot be ignored and Cooper needs to find a way to fit the Italian into the starting eleven.
Leicester did deploy a back three against Fulham, which would open the door for Okoli to start regularly, but that system did not work and left the team exposed through the middle.