Ruud van Nistelrooy rivaling old club Manchester United to bring nine-goal attacker to Leicester City
Ruud van Nistelrooy will have to fend off Manchester United if he’s to sign one player for Leicester City.
Prior to his arrival at Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooy began the 2024/25 season at Manchester United.
The former striker returned to Old Trafford over the summer, acting as one of Erik Ten Hag’s coaches.
The Dutchman then took temporary charge of the club following Ten Hag departing the Manchester outfit.
During that time, Van Nistelrooy guided Man Utd to wins over Leicester in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
The two sides continue to be linked on the transfer front over the winter period, with Manchester United scouting Mads Hermansen.
Leicester target Toby Collyer is open to a January exit from Old Trafford as well, reports revealed this week.
- READ MORE: He left Leicester City for free, now he’s won two international trophies and outperforming Facundo Buonanotte
Ruud van Nistelrooy battling Manchester United for Francesco Pio Esposito
Van Nistelrooy admitted that he plans to use his contacts to strengthen the Foxes in the 2025 winter transfer window.
But one of those contacts looks to now be directly competing with the ex-centre-forward for a player.
The player in question is young Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito, who is currently on loan with Spezia Calcio.
According to a report from journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Esposito is looking to cement himself in the Inter Milan senior side.
However, Manchester United and Leicester are both following the player and will continue to monitor him.
- READ MORE: Leicester City should replace underfire Jon Rudkin with man who has transformed EFL club’s recruitment
What Leicester City fans needs to know about Francesco Pio Esposito
Esposito is a product of Inter’s academy and has excelled at every level of youth football for them.
He was loaned to Spezia Calcio in August 2023 and is expected to remain their until the end of the 2024/25 season.
The 19-year-old only scored three goals in 38 Serie B outings during the 2023/24 campaign.
However, he has really come into his own this term, already scoring a very impressive nine goals and providing one assist in 18 league matches.
Esposito is working his way up Italy’s youth ranks as well, netting seven in 11 for the country’s U21 team and winning the U19 European Championship in 2023.
He left Leicester City for free, now he’s won two international trophies and outperforming Facundo Buonanotte
Facundo Buonanotte has been excellent for Leicester City since his summer transfer.
The Midlands outfit’s recruitment over the years hasn’t been great, but agreeing a loan deal for Facundo Buonanotte has proven to be a real stroke of genius.
The Argentine made the move to the King Power Stadium on a season-long loan deal from Brighton and Hove Albion.
He quickly established himself as a crucial player for Leicester City, providing a goal and an assist against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in the opening three weeks of 2024/25.
Buoanotte has been one of Leicester’s best players this season, even with Ruud van Nistelrooy recently dropping him on occasion.
- READ MORE: Leicester City should replace underfire Jon Rudkin with man who has transformed EFL club’s recruitment
Former player has excelled since leaving Leicester City
The Leicester manager revealed the plan for Buoanotte after his recent snub and he looks set to continue being a key player going forward.
He said: “Facundo is also a vital member of the team and will be very important in the months to come and help us to perform and he knows I’m thinking of him like that.”
However, there’s a former player Leicester let go for free who is currently outperforming the South American in 2024/25.
