Conor Coady sends message to Leicester star after exit links – ‘What a sight’
Leicester City’s pre-season preparations are starting to take shape after their relegation from the Premier League.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s departure was only confirmed by Leicester on 27 June despite the Foxes’ return to the Championship being confirmed over two months prior, with no immediate replacement lined up.
Marti Cifuentes may have been confirmed as Leicester’s new manager on 15 July, but this came with a rudderless pre-season already well underway and two friendlies being held at their training ground.
Leicester’s third friendly took place against Zalaegerszegi in Hungary with Cifuentes finally in charge, but the Foxes are still yet to make a single new signing with senior figures like Jamie Vardy already departed.
Conor Coady could be the next experienced player to head for the exit door at the King Power Stadium this summer, and remains on the radar of Rangers as part of Russell Martin’s overhaul at Ibrox.
Coady congratulates Abdul Fatawu on Leicester return
Coady wasn’t a frequent fixture in Leicester‘s last Championship campaign and made just 13 league appearances as the Foxes won the title, before starting half of their Premier League matches last term.
The same can’t be said for Abdul Fatawu, who was one of the stars of Enzo Maresca’s title-winning side before a season-ending ACL injury last November limited the Ghana international to just 11 appearances.
Fatawu missed the rest of Leicester’s campaign following surgery in January, but his comeback came in the Foxes’ friendly in Zalaegerszegi on Saturday and Coady was delighted to have his team-mate back.
Posting a picture of the Ghanaian on his Instagram story (20 July), Coady said: “What a sight… having this fella back”.
Coady to complete Leicester exit as Rangers talks loom
Football Insider Verdict
Coady may be glad to have Fatawu back in the fold at the King Power, but it’s unclear if the ex-England international will stick around to play any competitive games with him as talks of a transfer continue.
Football Insider revealed on 20 July that Rangers want to sign both Coady and a similarly experienced international in PSV frontman Luuk de Jong, albeit their interest in the former is much more long term.
Coady has been tipped to emulate Terry Butcher’s impact at Ibrox if he does make a move this summer, and with Leicester in need of finances by any means necessary, it’s hard to see them turning down any reasonable bids for the 32-year-old.