Spain international Mario Hermoso has turned down a move to Leicester City as he wants to stay and fight for his place at Atletico Madrid, according to AS.
Not that it really matters of course.
As St Etienne themselves have confirmed, it is Wesley Fofana who will become the new, big-money defensive signing that Brendan Rodgers has been crying out for throughout the summer transfer window, with the Frenchman heading to the King Power for a cool £36 million (Guardian).
There was a period, however, when a deal for Fofana appeared doomed to fail.
St Etienne were determined to keep hold of their 19-year-old prized asset, before changing their mind once the Foxes made an offer they couldn’t refuse.
In the meantime, Leicester had identified a host of alternative options, from James Tarkowski to Jonathan Tah, although this is the first time Hermoso’s name has been mentioned.
AS claims that the 2016 Premier League champions made a move for the £25 million Spain international.
But, after starting just 15 La Liga matches in his debut campaign as an Atletico Madrid player, Hermoso is determined to force his way into Diego Simeone’s starting XI.
Like Tah, Tarkowski and Fofana, the former Real Madrid youngster is a modern, ball-playing centre-half who would fit into Rodgers’ possession-based philosophy like a tailored suit.
AS adds that Hermoso, who is stuck behind Stefan Savic, Felipe and Jose Maria Gimenez in Atleti’s pecking order, also rejected Real Sociedad.
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