Leicester City have been linked with a midfielder who could finally see them replace James Maddison.
The Foxes boast a star-studded squad that have helped them blitz through the division at a record-breaking pace.
No team in the history of the Championship has accumulated more points than Leicester’s total of 55 after 22 matches.
With 13 points the gap between them and third-place Leeds United, it would take an almighty collapse in the second half of the season to fumble promotion back to the Premier League.
Yet, Enzo Maresca is looking to add to their squad in the transfer window.
It has already been reported that the Foxes could break the Championship transfer record to bring Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo to the club.
Meanwhile, midfield reinforcements also appear to be on the agenda after the club were linked with a move for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley.
Leicester City transfer news – Matt O’Riley
According to TEAMtalk, Leicester have joined Newcastle and a whole host of other clubs in the race for the 23-year-old.
O’Riley has been outstanding since arriving from MK Dons for £1.5 million in the summer of 2022 with his performances in the Champions League this term said to be attracting interest from English clubs.
Given his form and age, the Hoops are demanding over £25 million for the star and that would be a Scottish transfer record for any departure.
Such a fee could put Leicester out of the running in January but if they were to win promotion to the Premier League, which is looking increasingly likely, they should go in for O’Riley to replace James Maddison.
O’Riley can replace James Maddison at Leicester
In the summer, Leicester lost one of the most talented players to grace the King Power stadium in recent years.
Maddison scored 55 goals and supplied 41 assists in 203 appearances for the club with the Englishman since becoming a revelation at Tottenham.
Although the loss of such a quality player was a bitter pill to swallow, relegation to the Championship enabled Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to step up in his place and thrive in a more attacking role under Maresca.
Despite how good the 25-year-old has been, the Italian would need further quality in that area and O’Riley could be the man to provide it.
A creative force from midfield, who likes to drive forward and make things happen in the final third, O’Riley could be an ideal replacement for Maddison.
The 23-year-old has plundered nine goals and supplied five assists in the Scottish Premiership this season, yet it’s his performances in the Champions League that have caught the eye.
According to FBref, O’Riley ranks in the top 7% of midfielders in the competition for assists per 90, the top 8% for key passes and the top 18% for shot creating-actions.
Hailed as a “wonderful footballer” by Brendan Rodgers, the midfield metronome is delivering on the potential that his formative years promised and if his performances this season are anything to go by, he can fill the boots left behind by Maddison.