Leicester City are said to be interested in signing highly-rated Hoffenheim centre-back Melayro Bogarde as his contract situation becomes apparent.
It’s been an excellent season for Leicester so far who find themselves top of the Championship, clear of Ipswich Town by one point.
The foundations of their success have been built from their solid defensive structure having only conceded 12 goals in their opening 20 matches this term.
Whilst this statistic suggests Enzo Maresca’s side don’t need to improve their defence, they have been linked with a move for a new centre-back to challenge Wout Faes and Jannik Vestegaard ahead of January.
What has been said about Melayro Bogarde?
As reported by Voetbal Primeur, Leicester have joined Italian side Bologna and a whole host of Eredivisie clubs in chasing the Dutch youth international.
The talented youngster is out of contract next summer and wants to depart the German side after being thrown into the reserves this term.
This means Leicester could land him on a free transfer, although competition from other European clubs makes that a difficult ask.
Bogarde made Bundesliga history in 2020, becoming the youngest Dutch player to make his debut in the competition at the age of 18 years and two days, as per OptaJohan.
A centre-back, who can also play as a defensive midfielder or full-back, Bogarde possesses versatility that could be of use to Maresca.
And after a productive loan spell at Dutch side PEC Zwolle last term, where he helped them earn promotion back to the Eredivisie, the 21-year-old is ready to embark on his next chapter outside of Germany.
For his current club, he’s only made one appearance in the first-team across the last three seasons and considering how talented he is, freezing him out has only hampered his development.
Do Leicester need to sign Bogarde?
If Bogarde did make the switch to the King Power stadium, he wouldn’t be the first of his family to play in England with his uncle Winston Bogarde turning out for Chelsea on 12 occasions.
The Dutch destroyer, however, could struggle to break into Leicester’s first-team currently.
Both Faes and Vestegaard have formed an unbreakable partnership that is threatening to help Leicester break Reading’s point record of 106 in the 2005/16 season.
That said, at the age of 31, Vestegaard is approaching the twilight years of his career so it could be wise to land a long-term replacement for the Danish goliath.
And on a free transfer, Bogarde could turn out to be that man.