Craig Shakespeare will have to spend £45million if he is to add his two top targets to his Leicester City squad during the summer transfer window.
The recently appointed Foxes boss has already spent £17million on Hull City star Harry Maguire, as he looks to build on last season’s frankly disappointing title defence in which they finished in 12th position. And it would appear that the King Power Stadium club are nowhere near finished in the market just yet, but the two players next on the wanted list are likely to be costly.
Shakespeare is keen to add more firepower to his options ahead of the new term, and believes Manchester City star Kelechi Iheanacho is just the man to inject more goal-threat into his side. Despite being rated as one of the best young prospects in the Premier League, the Nigeria international has had limited game time in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded starting eleven.
The 20-year-old has an impressive record of 21 goals in 64 first team appearances for the Manchester club, as well as six goals in nine matches for his country, but he started just nine games in all competitions. City are willing to let him leave this summer, but would still want a handsome fee for the youngster and are thought to have placed a £25million price tag on his head.
Leicester still want to bolster a back-four which served them so well when they won the league title in 2015-16. They conceded just 36 goals during that amazing campaign, compared to the 63 they shipped last term. The addition of Maguire may contribute to adding more steel to their back line, but Shakespeare would also like to add Jonny Evans to his options.
The Northern Ireland international – who won three league titles at Manchester United – is a key member of the starting eleven at West Bromwich Albion, who would be reluctant to see him depart this summer. The 29-year-old still has two years left on his contract at the Hawthorns, and the Baggies will refuse to consider letting him leave for the club for anything under £20million.
Meanwhile, Shakespeare could recoup some of his anticipated outlay by cashing in on Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian international is considering an exit from the King Power Stadium this summer, and despite speculation linking him with Arsenal, the London Evening Standard claim it is capital rivals and reigning champions Chelsea who have set their sights on the £50million-rated forward.
