Leicester open talks for Arsene Kouassi deal as new long-term transfer plan revealed
Leicester City have made an enquiry into the availability of Lorient left-back Arsene Kouassi ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to Africa Foot, who state that the Foxes’ ambition for their project has seen them fix their eyes on the 21-year-old as a key target for the summer.
Leciester, Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt are all understood to have carried out “informal discussions” with the player and his entourage, after taking “concrete information” on his contract situation at Lorient.
Kouassi has been one of Ligue 1’s emerging young talents this term, with six goal involvements to his name from just 22 league games, and that has attracted the Foxes, who are looking to change the direction of their recruitment.
Leicester set for ‘intense’ Arsene Kouassi race amid new recruitment stategy
Leicester look set to be involved in an “intense” race for Kouassi’s signature this summer, as they prepare to battle clubs from two of European football’s strongest leagues.
Both Frankfurt and Lyon are renowned for developing promising young players into stars who attract attention from some of Europe’s elite, and Leicester are now aiming to achieve a similar position.
The East Midlands outfit’s advancement towards a deal for Kouassi comes as part of their desire to change their recruitment focus, and begin to target players who are likely to have a high resale value in future.
Lorient have their starlet under contract until the summer of 2029, but they are expected to face a battle to try and keep hold of him ahead of next season.
With contact having already come from three different suitors, it looks increasingly likely that Kouassi will be on the move, and he could yet become the first signing under Leicester’s revamped transfer plan.
Foxes could be hit with increased points penalty
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider earlier this week that Leicester are putting themselves at serious risk of an increased points deduction after they appealed against their initial sanction.
Gary Rowett’s side have been catapulted further into the Championship relegation battle by their initial six-point penalty, and Borson feels that their attempts to get that reduced could easily have the opposite effect.
The football finance expert believes that Leicester are trying to get their deduction rescinded altogether, but added that there is a potential that the authorities could up it to seven or eight points after a fresh review of the case.
A further penalty would leave the Foxes staring down the barrel of a first campaign in League One since 2009.