leicester city

Deal “In The Bag” for £15.5 million-rated attacker for Leicester City

Published

8 months ago

January 14, 2024

Leicester City were very close to signing Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo on loan until the end of the season and had been feeling confident about completing a deal for the young winger, it has been claimed.

Back in December, it was reported by Football Insider that the Foxes were set to battle it out with promotion rivals Sunderland to sign the Ivory Coast international on a short-term basis. Furthermore, Darren Witcoop added a few days before the January transfer window commenced that Ipswich Town had joined the race for the winger.

However, speaking in an interview with NETSPORT, journalist Dean Jones has revealed that Leicester were closer than had initially been reported to signing the 21-year-old, even claiming the club had the move “in the bag”.

“Leicester City thought they actually had a deal for Diallo in the bag and were confident it was going to happen and it hasn’t at the moment.

“The signs are that it’s not going to happen. So if Leicester can’t get Diallo, it would make me question Southampton’s chances of getting Diallo.”

Diallo has recently returned from injury and made his first appearance of the season for Manchester United at the end of December, coming off the bench to replace Antony against Nottingham Forest during a defeat for the side.

The Ivorian had a sensational spell on loan with Sunderland last season, scoring 13 goals in 37 league matches as the Black Cats reached the playoffs, with his market value now set at £15.5 million, according to Transfermarkt.

While there has been plenty of interest in Diallo’s signature, The Real EFL exclusively revealed back in November that the player was keen to stay at Old Trafford to fight for a starting spot in Erik ten Hag’ side.

Writer’s View

Amad Diallo would have been an electric signing for Leicester City. However, Antony has failed to score a goal or record a single assist this season with the Red Devils, while Jadon Sancho has been sent out on loan, meaning a move away for the ex-Atalanta man looks increasingly unlikely.

Additionally, Abdul Fatawu has had an excellent season so far, scoring twice and recording seven assists in 24 matches for the Foxes and the arrival of Diallo would only leave the Ghanaian with less game-time.