Leicester City have told Caglar Soyuncu that he is free to leave the King Power Stadium this summer, so which Premier League sides should now try to buy the ready to sell defender?
Soyuncu has spent the past four seasons with the Foxes after moving to the East Midlands from Freiburg in 2018. But their £19m arrival is set to enter the final 12 months of the five year contract worth £45k-a-week that he signed under former coach Claude Puel on July 1.
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The 26-year-old had often enjoyed a strong presence in the Leicester backline over his 123 appearances in all competitions. However, Brendan Rodgers began to lose faith in Soyuncu this term, with the 46-cap Turkey ace slipping to a backup role during the closing months.
Leicester now ready to sell Caglar Soyuncu as Brendan Rodgers plots shake-up
Now, the Daily Mail report Leicester have told Soyuncu he can leave as Rodgers is planning a summer shake-up. The Foxes boss is eager to refresh his ranks during the summer after a disappointing Premier League campaign, in which the King Power outfit finished in eighth.
Leicester have also made Ayoze Perez and Hamza Choudhury available for transfers, along with Soyuncu. Boubakary Soumare and Jannik Vestergaard could also leave the club during the off-season if Rodgers receives suitable offers, despite only signing the pair a year ago.
Soyuncu appears willing to leave Leicester this summer, as well, as the Daily Mail recently noted the centre-half has changed agency to the LA-based Wasserman group. The decision came amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
Alternative Premier League destinations may also now emerge with Rodgers ready to cash in on the Foxes’ FA Cup winner. So, with that in mind, which clubs could offer Soyuncu his route away from Leicester this summer, with the King Power hierarchy waiting for offers?
Tottenham can offer Soyuncu his Leicester escape route as Rodgers weighs up sale
Antonio Conte could certainly offer Soyuncu his escape route with Tottenham, as Rodgers weighs up Leicester cashing in this year. The Italian is in the market to sign further centre-halves during the summer sales, and already has some interest in the Turkey international.
Spurs also face difficulties in their pursuit of Gleison Bremer of Torino, as Fabrizio Romano claims Inter Milan remain the favourites. The Brazilian has an agreement in principle with the San Siro outfit over a move this summer. But the Nerazzurri are still yet to agree his price.
Soyuncu may represent a reasonable alternative and at a respectable price, given the 6 ft 1 enforcer is out of contract next year. He also has Premier League experience having played in 91 games – 28 this season, during which he scored in a 4-2 win over Manchester United.
Chelsea could find Rudiger replacement with Soyuncu swoop after Real Madrid move
Chelsea could step up their interest in Soyuncu now that Leicester are ready to sell, having lost Antonio Rudiger. The German will leave in a free transfer to join Real Madrid, where The Athletic note the 29-year-old will now earn €9-10m-a-season (£147-164k-a/w) after tax.
Thomas Tuchel must now replace what Rudiger offered at Stamford Bridge, having relied on him in 34 Premier League games this season. No central defender featured more often for the Blues than Rudiger this term, along with starting nine of 10 Champions League ties.
Newcastle can answer Howe’s centre-half calls with Soyuncu swoop
Newcastle could rival Chelsea and Tottenham’s interest in Soyuncu with Leicester ready to sell the defender, as well. Eddie Howe is keen to add a centre-half during the summer sales as he bids to guide the Toon further up the Premier League standings, per The Telegraph.
The Magpies boss has made defensive reinforcements one of his priorities, along with new striker options. But Newcastle may struggle to sign Nathan Ake, as the Dutchman has told De Telegraaf: “I just want to continue at City.” So, Soyuncu may prove an attractive option.
West Ham could turn attentions to Soyuncu as Ake sets out Manchester City aims
West Ham United can also turn their attentions to Soyuncu’s situation with Ake setting out his aims to stay at Manchester City and with Leicester ready to sell. The Times reported in April that the Dutchman was on the Irons’ radar as David Moyes wants a left-sided option.
Rodgers has favoured Soyuncu as his left-sided centre-half whenever the Foxes coach has fielded the Turkey star. He has also showered the defender with praise after he replaced Harry Maguire in the King Power backline following his £80m move to Manchester United.
“When you work closely with [Soyuncu], you see his quality,” Rodgers said, via quotes by Reuters. “He had big boots to fill and he’s been very good. For a modern-day centre back, he’s exactly what you want.”
Soyuncu could solve Everton’s centre-back search with Leicester ready to sell
Soyuncu could solve another Premier League side’s centre-back hunt, with Leicester ready to sell, as Everton are likewise in the market for defenders. Reports by TuttoUdinese note the Blues like Rodrigo Becao, and The Athletic report James Tarkowski is having a medical.
But the Toffees may sign multiple options to bolster the Goodison Park ranks this summer, TuttoMercatoWEB note Yerry Mina, who only played 13 Premier League games this term after repeated spells out through injury, is up for sale with an aimed price of €15m (£13m).
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