Leicester City are reportedly locked in a transfer battle with Leeds United and Burnley for promising Sunderland right-back, Trai Hume.
That is according to TEAMtalk, who claim that Leicester are looking closely at the Northern Ireland international.
Hume has been one of Sunderland’s top performers this term, alongside Jack Clarke, but the Black Cats could now be tempted into selling him given the profit they would pocket from his sale.
After setting them back just £200,000 in January 2022, the 21-year-old has become one of their best bargains in recent times having established himself as brilliant right-back in the second tier.
That said, he would struggle to get into Enzo Maresca’s starting XI if they were to lure him to the King Power Stadium.
Do Leicester City need Trai Hume?
Enzo Maresca has found that rarely changing the back four has worked a treat for him this season.
Inspired by the resurgence of Jannik Vestegaard and Wout Faes – who have struck up a phenomenal partnership at the heart of their defence – Leicester have only conceded 12 goals in 19 matches this term.
With an immovable back four of Ricardo Pereira, Faes, Vestegaard and James Justin providing the platform for success, it isn’t easy to see where Hume would fit into the Italian’s plans.
Although he is supremely talented, as highlighted by teammate Dan Ballard lauding him as ‘brilliant’, the Northern Irish man would struggle to dislodge Pereira from that position.
The flying Portuguese full-back ranks in the 1% against his positional peers in the Championship for pass completion, top 15% for tackles and top 20% for blocks, as per FBref.
Clearly a force at both ends of the field, who has thrived in his new role as an inverted wingback this term, the 30-year-old is levels ahead of Hume currently, however, the Sunderland star has the potential to become a quality right-back.
How has Hume performed this season?
Under the tutelage of Tony Mowbray, Hume has established himself as the driving force down the right flank for Sunderland.
In 19 appearances this season, the youngster has chalked up one goal and one assist, but more importantly, has shone from a defensive point of view.
The ‘fearless’ gem – as lauded by former Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough – has won 61% of his total duels, made an impressive 3.3 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game, as per Sofascore.
Aside from being a defensive brute, he’s also shone in the attacking third, creating four big chances, racking up an expected assists (xA) of 2.21 and making 0.5 key passes per game.
Whilst the above is Hume showing promising development, he could ruin that by joining Leicester and playing second fiddle to Pereira.