The transfer rumours are heating up at Leicester City ahead of the window opening on Wednesday, January 1st.
2024 was a successful year for Leicester, who clinched the Championship title and returned to the Premier League.
But to give themselves every chance of top-flight survival, the Foxes must back Ruud van Nistelrooy in the January transfer window.
Leicester are prioritising a new centre-back as they currently have the league’s joint-worst defence with 42 goals conceded alongside Wolves.
However, it isn’t just in defence where improvements can be made. Van Nistelrooy could raid Man United for transfers as they line up the possibility of loaning two stars.
The Dutchman isn’t just eyeing up a raid on his former employers, though, as interest has emerged in a Newcastle United duo.
Leicester City learn the availability of Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff
Alongside their desire to capture a new defender, Leicester have also shown interest in Miguel Almiron and another Newcastle star.
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester are keeping a close eye on the availability of Magpies midfielder Sean Longstaff with Eddie Howe looking to potentially cash in on him.
Longstaff, who was dubbed ‘excellent’ by Howe, has attracted further top-flight interest in the shape of Wolves and Everton.
Van Nistelrooy looking at a new midfielder is pretty intriguing as it’s a position where they are well stocked. Leicester signed Oliver Skipp for £20m in the summer and the Englishman joined the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare, Harry Winks, and Hamza Choudhury as options.
Ndidi is currently injured but once he returns, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, the Nigerian will slot straight back into midfield with Winks and Soumare.
Newcastle dynamo Longstaff isn’t necessarily an upgrade on their starting options and he would merely be a squad rotation player.
What Ruud van Nistelrooy must do in the January transfer window
Judging by the most recent transfer rumours, van Nistelrooy is going all out to sign a new centre-back, and that is the correct decision.
Leicester have been linked to Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov among others, with a surprise return for Man United’s Harry Maguire mooted.
Indeed, the Dutchman must fix the Foxes’ defence in January and use their current woeful defensive record as inspiration to improve that area of the pitch.
A new central defender isn’t the only position Leicester should target, though, as a new full-back – either on the right or left – is needed to replace James Justin.
On top of that, the third most important area of investment is someone to fill the void of Abdul Fatawu, who suffered a season-ending injury.
