Leicester City targeting Australian World Cup star Harry Souttar
Leicester looks to Stoke City’s Harry Souttar to sure them up at the back.
Harry Souttar who starred for Australia at the World Cup is a target for Leicester City. Souttar has performed well for Stoke City this season after overcoming a cruciate ligament rupture.
According to Gianluca Di Marzo, “Leicester have made an offer, around 10-million pounds: Stoke is not satisfied by this fee and talks will keep going on.”
Leicester let Wesley Fofano go to Chelsea last year and has not yet replaced him. However, Fabrizio Romano has reported that “Leicester have signed all documents to complete the signing of Viktor Kristiansen, confirmed – it’s done deal on €20m fee add-ons included.
“Kristiansen, already in England and prepared to sign a five year and half deal with Leicester.”
For further Leicester City coverage, click here.
The Foxes are currently 15th in the Premier League, so they could do with signing Souttar as well as Kristiansen with manager Brendan Rodgers under increasing pressure.
Souttar’s career so far
Although Souttar is an Australian international, he was actually born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He started his career with Dundee United and represented Scotland at U17 and U19 levels.
Souttar signed for Stoke City in 2016 and has gone on to make 61 appearances for the club in the Championship. However, he is yet to play in the Premier League. Whilst at the Potters, he has also spent time on loan at Fleetwood Town and Ross County.
For Australia, Souttar has 14 caps with six goals. Souttar impressed in Qatar where he played every minute of their World Cup campaign, helping his country reach the knockout stages. He was also part of their U23 side for the Tokyo Olympics.
Why does Leicester need him?
Leicester have not had the season they had hoped for so far. They are just two points above the relegation zone, so signing a player of Souttar’s quality will help them try and secure top-flight football for next season.
The Foxes’ options at centre-back are currently quite limited with captain Jonny Evans out with a calf injury. Jannik Vestergaard is yet to play in the league this season and Caglar Söyüncü has played just once. Daniel Amartey and Wout Faes have both been mainstays at the back, but the side is off the pace and they have a goal difference of -7.
Leicester cannot go on with just two fit centre-backs and the additions of Souttar and Kristiansen will be welcomed at the King Power Stadium. However, signing Souttar may not be easy with Stoke’s manager Alex Neil telling Sky Sports that they “have no aspirations to sell Harry”.
Leicester plays Brighton this weekend, which will be a tough match for them with the Seagulls currently flying high in 7th place in the league. Souttar’s Stoke is up against Reading in the Championship.
There are just eleven days left of the transfer window so Leicester needs to make sure they get some signings over the line, otherwise, their fight to stay in the division in the second half of the season will be tough.