With the summer transfer window deadline rapidly nearing, clubs are rushing to finalize last-minute transfers. Leicester City are among them, as Bilal El Khannouss’ impending departure has sparked a hunt for a replacement.
The Moroccan has been a key figure in City’s squad for the past few years and was the standout performer in a disappointing campaign.
Even this season, the 21-year-old maintained his form with two assists against Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day. Could this Premier League midfielder be the ideal replacement for the Foxes?
Be sure to keep up with all of our Transfer Deadline Day coverage on this hectic summer window closer.
Leicester City Secure Loan Deal As Premier League Player Is Likely To Join:
Aaron Ramsey: On The Move?
As reported by Sky Sports News, Aaron Ramsey is set to join the Foxes. A loan deal for the 22-year-old comes following an injury-plagued 2024/25 campaign, which saw Burnley secure promotion back to the Premier League with an impressive 100 points.
Ramsey, alongside teammate Michael Obafemi, are heading out on loan, as Obafemi is likely to sign for VFL Bochum, a club with a close connection to the Foxes.
Despite being 22 years old, Ramsey brings his own experience in the second tier. He played for both Middlesbrough and Norwich in 2022/23, managing to rack up eight goals and four assists in his 30 appearances. The move aligns with City’s youth-focused approach this season and the need to bolster their squad.
The focus all summer has been to offload players on high wages who are eager to leave. Consequently, players like Mads Hermansen, James Justin, and Wilfred Ndidi have all moved to clubs across Europe.
How Does This Affect Leicester City?
Adding players has been the priority for the past week, so bringing in a talent like Ramsey is always a positive. In his last stint in the Championship, he posted strong numbers, which is highly promising for a move to City.
He was in the top 10 percentile for progressive passes with 4.97 per 90. This is crucial, as midfield progression has been lacking in the opening fixtures. Without Harry Winks or El Khannouss, the ability to break lines and execute intricate passes has been absent.
Upon his return to the Burnley side this season, Ramsey scored in the fourth minute to help the Clarets to a 2-1 win. This led to manager Scott Parker praising his midfielder by stating, “He took his goal so well and I thought his overall performance tonight was very good.”
This ability to score from midfield could also be a significant aspect of his game under Marti Cifuentes. Evidence supporting this is that during the 2022/23 season, he was in the top six percentile for attacking midfielders and wingers for scoring goals.
A major difference between the current squad and Enzo Maresca’s from two years ago is the midfield. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Wilfred Ndidi combined for 16 goals that season, and with both players now gone, a new profile is needed to step up.