OGC Nice are reportedly eyeing up Leicester City defender Ricardo Pereira for a sensational return to the club this summer.
The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries in the last few seasons, but could be a crucial player for Enzo Maresca’s side in the Championship, and Leicester will now have to fend off interest from the Ligue 1 side.
Pereira made 57 appearances for Nice prior to his move to FC Porto, and the right-back is now top of the list for the French club.
A report from Foot Mercato has claimed that Pereira is being targeted by Nice, and Leicester’s relegation means that they could end up sanctioning a sale despite the Portugal international having three years left to run on his contract.
Pereira was one of the best right-backs in the Premier League when fit and firing, and has made 124 appearances for the Foxes.
Should Leicester sell Pereira?
The club now find themselves in a difficult position when it comes to the full-back. He could be important as his strong technical attributes could fit Maresca’s system perfectly as an inverted right-back, and he started in Leicester’s pre-season victory over Northampton Town.
However, his poor injury record means that the club may not be able to rely on him for a whole Championship season, and the player himself may not want to drop down a division when there is a possibility of returning to Nice.
If Leicester were to receive a substantial fee for the player, they may be tempted to sanction a sale, but they would then have to find a defender as skilful and accomplished as the former Porto star, and this may not be easy given how many outgoings the club have had to deal with this summer.
With nine goals and 15 assists from full-back for the Foxes, Pereira established himself as a popular player prior to his injuries, and his ability to play on both sides as well as further up the pitch could make him too valuable to sell at this moment in time.