Leicester City are believed to be one of a number of EFL sides eyeing a deal to sign Liverpool midfielder James McConnell.
The Foxes are continuing to reinforce their options under Russell Martin ahead of their League One campaign, most recently with the permanent addition of Blackpool goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli.
McConnell In Sightlines
Now, according to the Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet blog, Leicester could add to their midfield options with a move for Liverpool and England youth international James McConnell.
However, they are not alone in pursuing the former Ajax loanee, with the report also stating that he is generating interest from ‘a stack’ of Championship sides, with James Pearce further clarifying that it would be a loan switch for the 21-year-old.
McConnell has been involved in pre-season for the Reds as they begin life under new manager Andoni Iraola, having featured in their matches against Sunderland, Wrexham and most recently against Monaco at Anfield.
He failed to play any matches during Arne Slot’s final season at the helm on Merseyside, but has featured 13 times in total for Liverpool, mainly in cup and continental competitions.
Leicester City’s interest in a move comes as speculation mounts as to the future of academy starlet Louis Page, who is now firmly being targeted by Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Is This A Wise Move?
With Leicester City strengthening across the pitch, adding some new options in midfield cannot hurt as they aim to come out on top in League One and book their place back into the second tier at the first time of asking.
Recruiting a midfielder has been in the pipeline for some time at the King Power, and while a touted move for Archie Collins has faded into obscurity, it now seems that they have shifted focus onto James McConnell.
Having spent the first half of last season on loan at Ajax, the defensive-minded option largely struggled to make his impact at the Dutch giants, and with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch having injury-free seasons, he failed to break through and feature upon his return to Anfield.
With no proper senior experience under his belt, making the switch to Leicester could be the vital step in his career, and featuring for a prominent club and aiding them to promotion could be a confidence-boosting achievement.
Premier League loans certainly aren’t out of the equation for the Foxes given their successful swoop for Tommy Watson, and should Oliver Skipp get a move this window, adding McConnell to fill his vacancy would be a no-brainer.