Leicester City’s transfer window has been a slow burner so far but it could soon be ignited into life.
Woyo Coulibaly is on the verge of joining Leicester City, becoming Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Coulibaly will cost in the region of £3m and improves an area of the squad that has needed servicing for a while, offering strong competition for James Justin at right-back.
The imminent arrival of the 25-year-old is only going to be the start of their business, as van Nistelrooy has hinted at further Leicester signings in the next week.
Supporters will hope the Dutchman addresses their issue at centre-back and signs a replacement for the injured Abdul Fatawu.
However, van Nistelrooy should also consider signing a central attacking midfielder, someone they’ve tried to sign previously.
- READ MORE: Leicester City signing Woyo Coulibaly could see 2024 arrival already exit the club this month
Leicester City should try to sign Man City’s James McAtee
Leicester wanted to sign James McAtee in 2023 but the Englishman ended up spending another season in the Premier League with Sheffield United, providing six goal involvements in 30 appearances.
McAtee has since been monitored by Leicester, with claims the 22-year-old could leave the Etihad in search of regular first-team football.
Indeed, Man City signing Omar Marmoush could push McAtee out the exit door, perhaps paving the way for van Nistelrooy to make a move.
It’s been reported by Fabrizio Romano that the Bundesliga remains the most likely destination for the youngster, who most recently netted a hat-trick against Salford City in the FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola dubbed McAtee as ‘special’ following the match and clearly rates the player highly but first-team minutes aren’t guaranteed under the Spaniard, and Leicester must pounce for his signature.
Leicester could finally replace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall by signing McAtee
Leicester’s appointment of Brian Barry-Murphy, a former coach for Man City’s under-21 side, has been a great addition to the Foxes.
Barry-Murphy has been behind the Foxes’ recent upturn in performances, and he will have also worked under many stars during his time at the Citizens, including McAtee.
The Man City talent will therefore know one of the coaches well but not only that, he could also fill the boots of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who left to join Chelsea for £30m last summer.
Dewsbury-Hall, who has been linked with a Leicester return, was an output machine during their title-winning campaign, producing 26 goal involvements in the Championship.
| Leicester’s midfielders in 2024/25 | Goals | Assists |
| Wilfred Ndidi | 0 | 4 |
| Harry Winks | 0 | 2 |
| Boubakary Soumare | 0 | 0 |
| Oliver Skipp | 0 | 0 |
There is an argument to suggest that Leicester never replaced the attacking spark he brought from midfield, with the above talents failing to provide the necessary goals and assists.
Of course, the arrivals of Facundo Buonanotte and Bilal El Khannouss have flourished as a force in the final third, but van Nistelrooy could do with another central figure in his side who can grab important contributions.
McAtee, who is known for his attacking thrust from midfield, could be the perfect player to finally replace Dewsbury-Hall for the long term.