LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Steve Cooper, Manager of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Leicester City FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Leicester City enjoyed a productive summer transfer window that saw nine new players arrive at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester City invested fairly well over the summer and a number of their new faces have impressed a great deal in 2024/25 so far.
Facundo Buonanotte’s asking price was revealed this month and fans would no doubt love to see the Argentine secured on a permanent deal after cementing himself as one of the Foxes’ MVPs.
Jordan Ayew has been praised as well in recent weeks as his importance to the team grows.
However, while the summer window at the King Power Stadium was fairly positive, Leicester really struggled to add a quality striker to their ranks.
Odsonne Edouard eventually arrived on loan from Crystal Palace on deadline day but has failed to impress in the Midlands so far.
It has become clear Edouard was something of a panic buy after Leicester tried and failed to sign several more forwards, two of which now have huge transfer values.
Leicester City targets Santiago Gimenez and Adam Hlozek see transfer values skyrocket
The Foxes’ move for Wilfried Zaha has hit a snag in mid-August while two other players opted against joining Steve Cooper’s side.
Adam Hlozek was linked to Leicester but he instead completed a move to Hoffenheim for around £15m.
Elsewhere, Leicester rivaled Nottingham Forest for Santiago Gimenez. Forest were willing to part with £30m for the striker who eventually ended up staying at Feyenoord over the summer.
Now, according to CIES Football Observatory, who produce reports based on statistics involving players, both player’s transfer values have skyrocketed in recent months.
Hlozek is now valued at €37-53m and Gimenez has an estimated value of €39-52m, meaning, on paper, the duo could now be worth upwards of a combined £87.4m
Leicester must forget Adam Hlozek and Santiago Gimenez to focus on fresh striker
With Hlozek now plying his trade in Germany with Hoffenheim and Gimenez unlikely to have changed his mind over a move, the Foxes must turn their attention to other striker targets in January.
Centre-forward is one of the weakest areas of Cooper’s squad right now and unless Edouard’s form takes a massive upturn in the next six weeks, a new striker must be targeted in January.
Leicester remain firmly in the relegation battle but having a number nine who is capable of netting 15-plus goals a season would do their survival chances the world of good.
Jamie Vardy was once that player but his advanced age means his ability has declined somewhat.
