Leicester City 'interested' in Atalanta's Robin Gosens
By Harry Symeou
Leicester City are keeping tabs on Atalanta's Robin Gosens and see him as their 'main option' in their search for a new left-back.
The Foxes sold Ben Chilwell to Chelsea last summer for in excess of £45m, but are yet to reinvest in a direct replacement. The Atalanta star has enjoyed a successful season so far with the high-flying Serie A club, chipping in with an impressive ten goals and eight assists.
Just to be clear - treat this one as unconfirmed information. I have just the one source on this so far.
— Leah Smith (@LeahSmith_) April 29, 2021
I am currently working to try and corroborate this.
Will keep posted where possible ?
Journalist Leah Smith initially tweeted that Leicester are closing in on a £20m deal for the Germany international with terms agree, but caveated that by saying the information had come from a single source and was unconfirmed.
The Foxes' interest in the 26-year-old was then also reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, who claims that despite suggestions Manchester City are also interested in the full-back, 'advanced' talks with the Premier League champions-elect have never taken place.
Leicester are interested in Robin Gosens. He’s the main option as left back, talks on - Nuno Mendes was also in the list but he’s considered ‘too expensive’. ? #LCFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 29, 2021
Manchester City have never been in advanced talks for Gosens despite rumours. ? #MCFC @LeahSmith_
Gosens - formerly of Heracles Almelo in the Netherlands - moved to Bergamo in 2017 for approximately £1m and has developed into one of Europe's most revered wing-backs. Gian Piero Gasperini's system affords the German plenty of license to get forward, which he has done to great effect.
Brendan Rodgers has rotated between playing a back three and a back four this season. Gosens is capable of playing in either formation, but given his attacking prowess, the fact he's been identified as a target may indicate Rodgers sees playing with a back three and wing-backs as the way forward.
Romano also reported that the 2015/16 Premier League winners have Sporting CP's Nuno Mendes on their shortlist, but the Portuguese is considered to be 'too expensive'.
While it's unclear what stage negotiations are at at this juncture, there is no doubt that landing Gosens for somewhere in the region of just £20m would be a huge coup for the Champions League hopefuls.