According to the latest reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Leicester City are in advanced negotiations to sign Sampdoria’s midfielder Dennis Praet. The final price for the player could be agreed at €20m. The versatile midfielder made 34 appearances in the Serie A last season and contributed with two goals and three assists.
The Belgian international has emerged as a crucial player for Sampdoria ever since he joined them in 2016 and made over 100 competitive appearances for them. The midfielder had been linked with a Premier League move in the past and Arsenal were considered to be one of the major contenders to land him. However, Arsenal has had other areas to solve in this transfer window, and now it seems like Leicester are set to benefit from it as they are closing in on Praet’s signature.
What to expect from Praet at Leicester City?
The 25-year-old was predominantly used as a deep-lying playmaker last season by Sampdoria, but the Belgian can easily slot in to play as an attacking midfielder. Praet showcases good composure on the ball, and he can pick out some neat passes.
The midfielder usually displays an attacking intent as he tries to move the ball forward instead of just playing safe passes. The Belgian also has good close control skills which allow him to get out of tight spaces.
Off the ball, the Belgian works hard, and he can stop the opposition from building up play as he can use his tackling and intercepting abilities to good effect. All in all, one can say that he is a complete midfielder.
Does Leciester need him?
The Foxes have plenty of talented midfield options. The club have signed Youri Tielemans permanently this summer from Monaco, and he should play a big part in midfield. To do all the nitty-gritty job in the middle, Rodgers can rely on Wilfred Ndidi, Daniel Amartey and Hamza Choudhury. For the attacking role, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are there. Both of them impressed last season and looked threatening in the attacking third.
Moreover, the club signed Ayoze Perez for big money this summer. The Spaniard can be used as a winger, but he can also play in an attacking role in midfield. But for central midfield position/ box to box role, the club doesn’t have much quality apart from Youri Tielemans. Maybe that is the reason Rodgers wants to add more cover to Tielemans’ role. But still, the signing of Praet seems slightly surplus to us. However, there is no doubt that he would be a quality addition.
