Leicester’s lack of reputation costs them top transfer target
Leicester has missed out on their top transfer target over Eder’s concerns about playing or Italy in Euro 2016
Leicester City knows that they need to add another striker in the January transfer window if they are going to complete their magical run towards a Premier League title. Unfortunately, their lack of big name off the pitch has cost them the chance to sign Sampdoria striker Eder.
Instead, Sky Sports reports that Eder has decided to stay in Serie A, with a move to Inter Milan looking quite likely. It’s a significant blow to Leicester and manager Claudio Ranieri, who viewed Eder as the ideal striker partner for Jamie Vardy.
The real turn of the knife comes with the knowledge that the Foxes’ inability to sign Eder has nothing to do with money. The clubs had virtually agreed to a transfer fee of approximately 10 million pounds and wages weren’t expected to be a problem either.
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Instead, Eder did not want to move to Leicester because of his concern about securing a place in Italy’s Euro 2016 squad. He reportedly believes that it’s in his best interest to stay in Serie A until after the Euros to maximize his chances of featuring for his country.
You have to wonder if he would have had the same concern if it was Chelsea, or another perennial elite Premier League team, chasing him. The Premier League might be the most watched football league in the world so the idea that Eder doesn’t think he’ll get seen enough playing in it strikes me as a feeble excuse.
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Instead, it seems clear that Eder just didn’t think Leicester was a big enough club to risk the move. I have no doubts that if Manchester City called he would already be on the next flight over to England.
Eder is right though, that staying in Serie A does provide him the most direct route to Euro 2016. If he’s really concerned about playing time and focus, he should stay with Sampdoria. They might not have the glitz and glamour of Milan, but he’s their starter up top every week. The higher-ups with the Italian national team would get plenty of opportunities to see him featured as a striker.
His decision to stay in Italy is a significant blow for Leicester. The Foxes will continue to chase a striker, but it will be difficult to sign a player as talented as Eder for the fee they’d settled on with Sampdoria. They’re likely to end up spending more money on a player who isn’t quite as good a fit playing alongside Vardy.