Three players who Leicester City must now consider as Matias Soule issues clear transfer intention
Leicester City have been pushing to sign Juventus winger Matias Soule this summer but may have to turn their attention elsewhere.
After two friendlies, Steve Cooper will now have a clearer idea of the areas he needs to strengthen his Leicester City side.
The Foxes have won both of their pre-season matches 2-1 so far, beating Villarreal in France before a trip to League One Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night.
Despite those two victories, Cooper will be well aware that he needs to improve his squad prior to Leicester’s return to the Premier League and the club have been trying to do just that with a move for talented Juventus attacker Matias Soule.
However, after seeing a £21 million bid rejected for the winger who scored 11 goals and provided three assists on loan at Frosinone last season Leicester may have to explore other options.
READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares Matias Soule transfer stance amid Leicester City interest
With the player himself reportedly wanting a move to AS Roma, here are three alternatives to Soule that Leicester should consider.
Leicester City could hijack Southampton move for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Soule is a left-footed right winger who loves to cut in to make full use of his stronger side.
With that in mind, the three players that Leicester should consider will be similar in profile and the first of these is Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
The 21-year-old is very highly-rated at Palace but as yet has only made eight Premier League appearances.
The tricky winger spent the 2022/23 season on loan at League One Charlton Athletic, where he impressed as he scored 15 goals and provided eight assists.
Looking back at his time as manager of the club, Dean Holden claimed on the I Had Trials Once podcast that Rak-Sakyi is the best player he has ever coached.
Holden said: “It was a lad we had on loan last season, Jes Rak-Sakyi. He was on loan from Crystal Palace.
“He’s getting some game time at the moment – phenomenal player. Right winger but left footed, balance like a skier when they try and knock him off the ball. He’s not one to do ten stepovers for the sake of it. He will make the right decision. He’s only young.
“He used to drive in a clapped out Punto. Earning good money but not interested. His dad and brother own a barbers in Elephant & Castle. Just a proper young player who wants to give everything.”
With Premier League opportunities hard to come by, Rak-Sakyi was expected to be sent on loan to the Championship this summer before Southampton shocked the Eagles with a £7 million bid.
That was rejected and it is suggested that the Saints could return with an improved offer, but Leicester should consider hijacking a move for the bright young talent.
Steve Cooper could turn attention to Enzo Millot
The second player Cooper should consider bringing to the King Power is Stuttgart winger Enzo Millot.
At 22, Millot represents another young talent who is only going to get better; much like Soule who is 21.
READ MORE: Steve Cooper faces tough call over Leicester City ace if Matias Soule arrives
Millot is another player with a cultured left foot and gives Cooper options as he can play either as a number ten or a right winger and is currently representing France at the Olympics.
The Frenchman was impressive as he scored six goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions in a campaign that saw Stuttgart secure a remarkable second place finish in the Bundesliga ahead of German giants Bayern Munich.
It may be difficult to convince the winger to swap the Champions League for a likely relegation battle at Leicester but with a release clause of €25 million (£21m), the Foxes could test the waters by triggering this.
Leicester City should consider AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze
The third and final player on the list is AC Milan wide-man Samuel Chukwueze.
The Nigerian only signed for the Italian giants for an initial £17 million last summer but Leicester could capitalise on an underwhelming first season by launching a bid.
