Leicester City will expect many players to join and leave King Power Stadium during the January transfer window.
It’s only the second day of January but several rumours have engulfed Leicester fans, with van Nistelrooy eyeing defensive reinforcements.
Leicester have been linked with Ben Godfrey, the Atalanta centre-back who has been given the green light to leave, along with many other players.
The Leicester manager is also looking to offload some of his fringe players, with midfielder Hamza Choudhury fielding interest from Sheffield United.
Choudhury, meanwhile, isn’t the only star being touted with an exit, as supporters hold out hope that one player’s loan is cancelled.
Ruud van Nistelrooy expects Odsonne Edouard to stay at Leicester
The player fans arguably want to leave the most is striker Odsonne Edouard, who was signed temporarily from Crystal Palace in the summer.
One of two Premier League loans Leicester were allowed to sign, Edouard hasn’t lived up to expectations at the King Power Stadium with his spell transpiring into a disaster.
The Frenchman has made eight appearances in all competitions but perhaps more alarmingly, has failed to score a single goal while garnering just 229 minutes of Premier League action.
It was claimed by The Telegraph that Edouard will return to Crystal Palace this month, freeing up space for another Premier League loan.
However, van Nistelrooy’s stance on the forward – who cost Palace £14 million from Celtic – will not please many of a Foxes persuasion.
He expects Edouard along with fellow loanee Facundo Buonanotte to remain at Leicester beyond the January transfer window.
Speaking in Thursday’s press conference, the Dutchman said via Leicestershire Live: “Odsonne is part of our squad. He’s one of the two Premier League loans we have. We expect him and Facundo Buonanotte to be at the club.”
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Leicester must target a successor for Jamie Vardy
One reason why Edouard has barely featured at Leicester is because of Jamie Vardy.
The Englishman continues to showcase his elite finishing talents, despite approaching his 38th birthday, having plundered six Premier League goals this term.
Robert Huth labelled Vardy a ‘freak athlete’ previously, and his performances this term have reinforced such comments on the Englishman.
However, with Vardy’s contract expiring in 2025, van Nistelrooy will need to have his successor in mind.
Indeed, Bayern Munch striker Mathys Tel could be Vardy’s heir, with the 19-year-old emerging as a potential loan option till the end of the season.
Tel was linked with Leicester earlier in the season and the forward could offer magnificent value as both a winger and central striker.