Michail Antonio’s possible switch to Leicester City looks to have moved a step nearer following Julian Carranza’s January departure.
The 25-year-old arrived on a season-long loan from Dutch heavyweights Feyenoord in September but found opportunities hard to come by with the Foxes.
He leaves the Midlands without registering a goal or assist in his nine Championship appearances, and has not featured since November 4.
A club statement on X said: “We can confirm that striker Julian Carranza has returned to parent club Feyenoord following the conclusion of his loan spell at King Power Stadium.”
Before adding: “He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”
Taking the Mich:
The Argentine’s exit clears a path for Antonio to finalise a move to Leicester, who currently sit 13th in the table.
Antonio is a free agent after being released by West Ham, bringing an end to his ten-year spell with the Hammers.
The 35-year-old has not played a competitive club match since suffering a horrific leg break — fractured in four places — following a Ferrari crash in December 2024.
West Ham chose not to extend Antonio’s contract, although they allowed the forward to continue his recovery at the club.
Antonio has since been training with Leicester in recent weeks, having previously stressed that retirement was not an option despite his West Ham exit.
Last month, Foxes head coach Marti Cifuentes confirmed discussions were ongoing regarding a permanent move for Antonio.
“He’s a player who’s got big experience in the Premier League,” the Spaniard said.
“He’s training with us at the moment and we’re having a look.
“He’s a good football player. He comes from a period without a team, but he’s been training only a couple of days with us and he’s been looking good. He’s a good lad to have around as well.”
On way out?
Carranza may not be the only Leicester player heading for the exit this month, with the club keen to offload several high earners.
talkSPORT understands Harry Winks, Wout Faes and Boubakary Soumare are all facing uncertain futures at the Championship club.
All three were left out of the matchday squad as the Foxes suffered a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United on Thursday.
Goals from Japhet Tanganga, Thomas Cannon and Callum O’Hare secured victory for the Blades, who conceded a late Jordan James consolation as Leicester slipped to a third loss in four matches.
Winks has not featured for Leicester since being withdrawn at half-time during the 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield United in November, while the loss to the Blades could also prove to be the final appearances for Faes and Soumare in a Foxes shirt.
Winks’ omission was described as a “technical decision”, and when asked last month whether the 29-year-old had played his final game for the club, Cifuentes declined to comment on speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future.
“I’ve already explained the situation. There is no news on that. I would like to focus more on the players who are doing so well this week,” Cifuentes said of Winks, who has six months remaining on his Leicester contract.
Faes, meanwhile, has dropped to fourth-choice centre-back under Cifuentes, while Soumare — whose deal also expires in the summer — has similarly fallen out of favour.
Leicester will look to respond to their New Year’s Day setback at Bramall Lane when they return to home action on Monday night against West Brom.