Leicester City transfer news roundup

Leicester City are officially back in preseason training today! Riyad Mahrez, star of transfer rumour columns throughout Europe, will not be attending...nor will any of our other internationals, who’ve all been granted an extra week off. Speaking of not-really-news Mahrez mongering...

Shortly the Gunners will formalize the purchase of French-Algerian playmaker (translated)

We’ve got to start with this one because it seems to be gaining some traction and is being repeated a lot. I expect Mahrez will eventually leave, Arsenal is a possibility if Thomas Lemar does indeed turn them down. I’m also yet to see anything related to this story that gives me any reason to believe it.

Plenty of sources out there will try to ‘predict’ signings they think likely, making it look like they have some insider information. They rarely do, and a good rule of thumb is that an Italian website is unlikely to have the first news on a transfer between two English clubs, especially when the player involved is not Italian and has never played there.

Michael Keane: Everton hope to announce signing of Burnley defender on Monday

Nathan Ake signs for club record fee (for Bournemouth)

Two young defenders off the market. Neither seemed particularly likely so aren’t a huge blow, especially considering we struck first in the centre back market, but they provide interesting context for the next story.

It's a waiting game on £25m Ben Gibson

The Foxes are willing to wait out the transfer window, hoping Middlesbrough drop their price. The general fan reaction to this article seems to have been “just get on with it and pay the price” and “this is going to be another Michael Keane”. Again, it would be much more concerning if we hadn’t already finished the Maguire deal, but it’s always worth questioning how much the few million we might shave of this deal is worth in the bigger picture of a Premier League club, compared to getting the right player.

That said, paying the same price as Everton are set to pay for Keane for a less proven player, having been put off by Burnley’s price tag last year, would send a slightly desperate message.

Chelsea's Nathaniel Chalobah target of Leicester, Swansea, Watford

Another promising young talent, and one of the few midfielders we’ve seen linked, but if he’s leaving for playing time, he’ll find more elsewhere.

Defrel close to Leicester City

Another January deal that could be revived. The 26 year old striker scored 16 goals in all competitions despite missing time with injury. Roma and Southampton are also interested for around £15m.

Leicester City make £450,000 bid for Coventry City forward George Thomas

Plenty of Premier League interest in the Leicester born, Wales youth international (?). The Foxes are the first to submit a bid.

Odds tumble on Troy Deeney move to King Power stadium

It wouldn't be a transfer window without this one. I’m beginning to suspect it’s an elaborate joke from his agent, who wants to remind us of that goal twice a year.

Leicester abandon transfer plans for Gaston Ramirez

Leicester had tried to sign the attacking midfielder in January, but have turned down the chance to sign him for £10m in favour of pursuing other targets (possibly Gylfi Sigurdsson).

Nampalys Mendy wants to return to Bordeaux (translated)

If he returns to France, it will be to Bordeaux, Mendy has apparently decided, even though no French teams have officially contacted the him, his agent or the club.

Bartosz Kapustka leaves Leicester City. He wants a Bundesliga club (translated)

Bear with me, my Polish is a little rusty.

First of all I will do everything to play more. Together with the club, because it does not depend only on me, we will take a decision on my future. I am ambitious and certainly will not allow next season to look like the previous one

He wants to play more, which feels fair. There’s supposed interest from clubs around Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, with Freiburg the most concrete link. They also mention renting, so I can only assume that a loan move is possible.

Leicester City plot transfer of Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra

An actual new name. You may remember the physically imposing midfielder from our Champions League encounter. He looked greta in that Sevilla team, but a bid of £12m is thought to be enough for the 29 year old.