According to reports, former Premier League Champions Leicester City have rejected an initial bid by Championship club Derby County for their striker Tom Lawrence. Following an impressive stint in the Championship with Ipswich Town, the Foxes have been impressed and has kept him on assessment.
The 23-year-old has had some decent games in Leicester City’s pre-season with MK Dons a special mention. Craig Shakespeare has decided to keep the player on assessment as he was included in Leicester’s trip to Hong Kong for Asia Trophy.
When asked about him, the Leicester manager said, “Tom has still got another year with us. I am having a look at him. His performances in pre-season have been decent, and his fitness levels are improving. We keep working with him and see what happens.”
Either they would extend his contract now or sell him this summer and Derby are extremely interested in landing him. The Rams have already lost star duo Tom Ince and Will Hughes to Huddersfield Town and with the season starting in days, Garry Rowett is in deep waters. Derby has failed to get any reinforcements whatsoever in which case they aren’t bettering their striking tally from last season.
Lawrence has proven himself in the second tier quite well scoring 11 goals and notching 11 assists for the Tractor Boys last season eventually being named as the club’s player of the year. The Wales international is also being monitored by newly promoted Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion who are reportedly willing to pay £8 million for him.
Lawrence had emerged as a top target among mid-table clubs last winter in January when Leicester City had reportedly priced him at £1 million with Burnley quite keen back then. He was one of the desired targets for sides like Newcastle United, Sunderland, Norwich and Cardiff City then.
His huge progress only justifies Leicester having second thoughts on him. The Foxes had paid £1million to get the Manchester United academy product back in 2014. The Wrexham-born player’s progress should be credited to the numerous loan stints he had while at United and Leicester with sides like Carlisle United, Yeovil Town, Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town.
Naturally a secondary striker, who excels in making late runs and having a sharp nose for goals, the Welshman can also play on the flanks retaining brilliant dribbling abilities and can take the most controlled long shots from outside the box. Though his 175cm frame makes his weak from aerial duels, his pace and tenacity compensate for it.
