Leicester City’s recruitment over the last 10 years has largely been excellent.
Even over the last few years, despite relegation and a tough season this term, they’ve had many successes in the market.
Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen and Bilal El Khannouss have all been great recruits in more recent times, however, the club’s true golden era came during 2015-2022.
That period saw Leicester win the Premier League title, FA Cup and the Community Shield, all whilst plying their trade in multiple European competitions.
However, despite the club’s excellent record in the transfer market, they did miss out on Brendan Rodgers’ centre-back target in 2022 and he’s now regarded as one of the best in the world.
Leicester City wanted to sign William Saliba in 2022
According to L’Equipe, via Get French Football News, Leicester made an enquiry to sign Arsenal defender William Saliba back in 2022.
The Foxes had just come off the back of an eighth-placed finish and a European semi-final, so they were certainly one of the most attractive destinations in the Premier League outside of the big six.
Saliba had just enjoyed a sensational season at Marseille and was returning to his parent club Arsenal, who were open to selling him at the time.
A £24m price tag had been set, but Leicester opted against launching a bid as PSR issues began to take hold of the club.
City ended up signing just Wout Faes and Alex Smithies that summer and now Saliba is considered ‘world class’ and wanted in a £100m deal by La Liga giants Real Madrid, according to Sky Sports.
Leicester suffered relegation that season
That summer, Leicester had to sell Wesley Fofana in a £75m deal to help balance the books and incomings were really scarce, too.
Faes came in as his replacement and initially looked like a shrewd buy, but his form began to wane as the season went on.
City ended up sacking Rodgers in the spring and despite Dean Smith’s best efforts, the club suffered an unthinkable relegation to the Championship.
Had they signed Saliba, perhaps their fate could’ve been so different.