Leicester City are in the market for January reinforcements.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has made it clear he needs additions this month as his side are struggling in 19th place in the Premier League.
The goals have dried up and they’re leaking far too many at the back, so it’s clear something needs to change and quickly, otherwise, the writing is on the wall.
Leicester are looking at a number of targets domestically and abroad but so far they’ve only managed to sign Woyo Coulibaly.
That frustration is only going to continue as West Ham United have just nipped in and snatched one of their rumoured targets.
West Ham agree deal to sign Leicester target Ezechiel Banzuzi
Leicester City have been keeping tabs on Ezechiel Banzuzi, who is flourishing in Belgium with sister club OH Leuven.
The 19-year-old midfielder has established himself as one of the most promising teenagers in Europe and is being watched by a number of clubs including the Foxes.
However, Leicester are now on the backfoot as West Ham have stolen a march and agreed a £13m deal with Leuven, who are owned by the King Power Group.
Banzuzi is expected to complete his medical in the next 24 hours, so clearly it seems Leicester are set to miss out on his signature.
You’d assume City would have first dibs given their ties to the Belgium club, but evidently they don’t have the funds to complete a deal, or the priority is other positions.
Leicester should utilise links to OH Leuven
Perhaps in this case, the decision to snub the signing of Banzuzi was the correct one, given the need to sign defenders and wingers.
But in future, Leicester really should use the links to their advantage and hoover up Leuven’s best talent, otherwise, the two-club model isn’t being utilised efficiently enough.
City have often sent their younger players on loan to the Juliper Pro League outfit but so far, they’re yet to benefit with signings of their own.