Player can be signed on loan + €5m clause after season long loan at Leicester City
Yunus Akgün has returned to Galatasaray after a loan spell at Leicester City last season.
Friday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport claims Hellas Verona have identified the 24-year-old as a target to bolster their squad this summer.
The Serie A side are working on bringing new attackers and their target list includes the former Leicester man and Boavista’s Róbert Boženík.
With regards to Akgün, it’s claimed Hellas Verona have continued to hold talks, likely with Galatasaray, over securing his services.
During his time at Leicester, Enzo Maresca used him as an attacking midfielder, winger and even in the middle of the pitch. The Turkey international managed two goals and three assists from 29 games in all competitions for the Foxes.
According to Galatasaray’s official website, Leicester paid a €500,000 loan fee and they had a buying option of €9m, which they didn’t exercise.
The report says Hellas Verona can sign him on a loan deal with a €5m purchase clause. Galatasaray want that clause to be mandatory.
This is currently the difference between the two clubs in the negotiations for Akgün.
Essentially, Akgün is available for €5m with the permanent transfer, and therefore hit on accounts, delayed for a year.
Steve Cooper comments could hand lifeline to forgotten Leicester City man
A Leicester City outcast could be given a second chance after Steve Cooper’s recent comments.
Leicester City’s pre-season plans so far have been entirely dependent on their transfer activity, something that hasn’t gone entirely according to plan for Steve Cooper’s side.
The departure of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea was expected, especially with the midfielder stating his desire to link back up with former Foxes boss Enzo Maresca.
Ever since the significant departure of Dewsbury-Hall, Cooper’s side haven’t quite managed to fully bolster their squad, barring the odd addition here-and-there.
Although attacking and midfield signings have rightly been prioritised this summer, Leicester City aren’t quite in perfect shape in defence, with options still looking rather light, despite the arrival of Caleb Okoli from Serie A outfit Atalanta.
However, recent comments from Cooper could suggest that a defender who was given very little time last season could be introduced back into the side.
Leicester City defender Harry Souttar could be given more gametime under Steve Cooper
Since his arrival from Stoke City, Harry Souttar has struggled to cement a first-team spot for Leicester City, despite showing that he is a high-quality Championship defender from his tenure with the Potters.
However, a revival of Souttar’s Leicester City career could be on the cards after Cooper’s recent comments.
Speaking to Leicester Mercury, Cooper said: “I’m not judging anybody on what they did last season.
“Of course, you know the level of players and you’re looking at where they played and assess what you think of them as a player.
“But just because someone did or didn’t feature last year, it doesn’t mean it will be the case this year. That’s what we’re putting together as we speak.”
- READ MORE: Steve Cooper transfer wish revealed as Leicester City eye Sunderland midfielder
Harry Souttar can still make a significant impact at Leicester City
It’s clear that Souttar was given very little opportunity under Maresca in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, where the Australian international tallied just three appearances, all of which ended in victory.
It’s safe to say that any player to be out of action for this long can incredibly rock your confidence. However, Cooper making it adamantly clear that every player is working off a clean slate gives Souttar that necessary moment to prove that he can play at this level.
His time at Stoke City showed that he could potentially have slotted in at Premier League level, and Cooper will be very aware of his qualities, despite the lack of game time.
If Souttar was to come in for Leicester City, it would feel like a new signing, and one that would necessarily be crucial in adding squad depth to a side with slightly depleted funds.
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