According to reports, Middlesbrough are now willing to part ways with one of their best players, Gaston Ramirez, if they get the right offer. After Leicester City were made aware of the £15m release clause and the player himself insisting a way out of the Riverside Stadium, Karanka has decided to go with it.
Apparently, though his release clause has been privately dismissed, the boss would like to let the player go for a fee in that region. What started as perhaps a rumour has now reportedly made Leicester City serious about considering a move for the talented Uruguayan international.
Although the Foxes are more or less in the same situation in the league as Boro currently, leading them by just one point and one position, it is their European participation that plays a major role in this deal. Leicester have advanced to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and it starts next month.
Given how Aitor Karanka’s stance has changed in the past few weeks, a move now seems quite possible. After claiming him ‘not for sale’ for weeks, Karanka stated in an interview, “There is no chance of him leaving at the moment because we have not received one offer for him. Again, if the offer arrives and he wants to leave then we will consider it. Today I don’t think it should happen.”
Leicester City surely have to come with a better offer for the player, as it has just been six months since he signed a three-year deal following last season’s successful loan from Southampton. A crucial player for Boro, Ramirez has been superb this season.
In his 17 appearances, he has scored two goals which include a majestic solo goal. He has created 23 chances and three assists so far, completing 332 passes with a pass accuracy of 76%, of which 75% have been forward passes. A playmaker by nature, who likes to play in the centre, Karanka has used him on the flanks occasionally and he has delivered.
And Claudio Ranieri seems to use him in a similar way. Whether it’s Danny Drinkwater, Ndidi or Nampalys Mendy, they all seem more of a box to box midfielder and lack the creative touch. The only creative player in the squad, Riyad Mahrez, is away at AFCON and Ranieri needs someone to create chances playing behind Vardy and Slimani.
His addition could be a huge boost for the Foxes as they gear up for the second half of the season. With a very tight table separating the top half with the rest, Leicester knows quite well that they have every chance to end the season on a higher note.
