Vicente Iborra was subject to huge Premier League interest with West Ham and West Brom keen – but Leicester City have won the race.
Vicente Iborra has had to wait to make the move to England. According to Sky Sports, the powerful midfielder was a medical away from completing a £7.7 million move to Sunderland last summer, only for Sevilla to get cold feet at the last minute.
12 months on, however, Iborra is finally ready to set sail for British shores. The Mirror claims that the 6ft 2ins enforcer has agreed a deal to move to Leicester City for £12 million.
The 29-year-old has three years remaining on his current contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan but Sevilla will not stand in his way of a fresh start this summer. Iborra, who won three consecutive Europa League crowns at the Andalucía club, was a key player under former manager Unai Emery, his direct style getting the best out a player with impressive aerial ability.
Vicente Iborra became a hugely important player for Sevilla after moving from Levante in 2013
However, the high-tempo pass and move style expected to be instilled by former Celta Vigo coach Eduardo Berizzo at Sevilla means Iborra is no longer a natural fit.
And time will tell whether his physical, robust style will fit in at Leicester. Iborra is a versatile player, capable of performing in a range of positions from defensive midfield to targetman. Therefore, he will give Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare options at either end of the pitch.
And The Foxes appear to have beaten off plenty of competition for his signature. Estadio Deportivo claimed on Monday that West Brom, West Ham and Watford were all interested in the uncapped Spaniard.
West Brom had been linked for a number of months, with Iborra’s height and versatility making him a natural fit for Tony Pulis’ old-fashioned approach. Scoring 26 goals in his last three seasons, he also purported to add some much needed forward thrust to a workmanline Baggies midfield.
However, it appears that Leicester have won the race.
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