Leicester City have generally been pretty successful in the transfer market over the last decade.
Leicester’s golden era between 2015 and 2022 saw the likes of N’Golo Kante, James Maddison, Harry Maguire and Youri Tielemans arrive.
Even the more recent additions of Abdul Fatawu and Bilal El Khannouss have been really smart and exciting buys.
The 2023 summer window, when they were preparing for life in the Championship, was largely a successful one.
However, they did miss out on a signing who’s now gone on to become a Premier League superstar worth £165m.
- READ MORE: Khun Top’s three-point checklist he must complete to return Leicester City to their past glories
Leicester City tried to sign Cole Palmer in 2023
Following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League in 2023, the club had a big rebuild on their hands led by then-manager Enzo Maresca.
With 14 players leaving the club, it was imperative Maresca was given funds to spend and he was able to sign nine new faces.
However, Leicester also missed out on a number of targets and perhaps the most painful one of all was Cole Palmer.
According to GiveMeSport, the Foxes tried to sign Palmer on loan from Manchester City earlier in the window, with Maresca hopeful his previous relationship with the player could see a deal agreed.
However, City didn’t manage to get the deal over the line, so he remained at Man City for the first few weeks of the season, netting in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup final.
That’s when his stock really started to rise and it promoted Chelsea to sign him on a permanent deal for £42.5m.
Cole Palmer now worth £165m
Indeed, since Leicester’s failed transfer and his move to Chelsea, Palmer has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League and on the planet.
The England international was given the Young Player of the Year award last term and he’s continued to bang in the goals this season.
Palmer has netted 14 times whilst laying on six assists and is now believed to be worth around £165m, amid interest from Real Madrid.
What could’ve been for Leicester.