Leicester City are nearing the acquisition of a promising young defender from Italy. Since the arrival of Steve Cooper to replace the former Italian manager Enzo Maresca, the club has started making significant strides in the summer transfer window.
The upbeat atmosphere following their Championship triumph in the 2023/24 season waned when Maresca departed to manage Chelsea, taking Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with him.
Leicester City seems intent on exploring foreign markets for new recruits, with reported pursuits of Belgian defender Arthur Theate and Cooper’s interest in former Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite.
Despite having a somewhat thin squad, Cooper has made headway in securing his first signing ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, with a talented young Italian defender said to be waiting to join the club.
Cooper clearly emphasizes the need for defensive reinforcement at the King Power Stadium ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, evident from his pursuit of Theate. Despite options like Wout Faes, Conor Coady, and Harry Souttar at centre-back, Cooper may opt for a back three formation, similar to how Okoli was utilized at Frosinone last season. This strategy could necessitate further defensive signings.
However, the reported absence of moves to acquire a striker raises concerns. While Braithwaite has shown flashes of quality in La Liga, his previous stint with Middlesbrough in 2017 was less successful in the Premier League.
Okoli appears to be a sensible acquisition by Cooper, given his potential and experience with over 50 Serie A appearances. Nonetheless, concerns persist about the team’s attacking capabilities, which should arguably take precedence for Leicester City at this juncture.
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