According to reports, former Premier League champions Leicester City are eyeing a last-minute audacious swoop for Bundesliga veteran Benedikt Howedes. The FC Schalke centre half has been in the news of late after a drift between the club and their long serving player, which has put sides like Juventus and Liverpool on red alert.
Of course, the Foxes remain the odd one out in the pot in the pursuit of such a classy defender, but manager Craig Shakespeare would be expecting some major transfers in the last three days of the transfer window that should happen both the ways and he is likely to fancy his chances.
While Howedes moving out of the Bundesliga has been quite unthinkable for many, the recent incident of the club stripping of the captaincy from him has seen things changing and fast. Following instant speculations of the player’s willingness of leaving the club, Howedes shockingly admitted it.
Speaking to the media he said, “I’ve said I won’t move within [Germany] and can picture a move abroad. As of today, that point in time hasn’t come. I received offers from other clubs after the surprising demotion from captain… that my agent checked and answered.”
A special interest has come from Serie A giants Juventus, who are in search for a like for like replacement of their departed defensive star Leonardo Bonucci, who left for AC Milan earlier this summer. 29-year-old Howedes will be as good as it gets at the back line and Juventus’ director Beppe Marotta has wasted no time in expressing their interest to the local press before this weekend’s game against Genoa.
Apparently, there are talks being held between Schalke and Juventus about a possible loan deal for the player with a view to a permanent transfer but nothing has been finalized and Leicester can still try for him. Howedes will bring chunks of experience more than anything to any side he goes.
He has spent his entire career with Bundesliga side FC Schalke, where he played a staggering 349 games so far, scoring 23 goals. On the national front too, Howedes has been a regular face where he has been capped 44 times so far and has scored twice. He was also a significant part of Germany’s World Cup winning campaign.
He is known for his consistency and disciplined defending. Last season, Howedes had made more interceptions (119) than any other defender in Europe’s top 5 leagues. There is no reason Schalke would want to leave him so late. He has a contract with the club until June 2020 after he recently signed a three-year deal.
