Leicester City are on the verge of making their fifth acquisition of the summer transfer season, with Stephy Mavididi the most recent addition.
According to reports in France, City have negotiated a deal with Ligue 1 club Montpellier for the 25-year-old Englishman, with a transfer likely soon. Following the £38 million transfer of Harvey Barnes to Newcastle, Mavididi would add to City’s plethora of alternatives.
Barnes’ transfer to St James’ Park was announced on Sunday afternoon, leaving Marc Albrighton as the club’s lone senior wide player. During pre-season, full-back Timothy Castagne has taken on a more offensive position, while teenagers Kasey McAteer and Wanya Marcal-Madivadua have also contributed.
Due to the shortage of wingers, Enzo Maresca will want to reinforce that position during his team rebuilding this summer. If the deal goes through, Mavididi will be the fifth signing of the transfer window, but the first in a truly offensive position.
According to L’Equipe , the former Arsenal and Juventus man is set to sign a four-year deal at the King Power Stadium. The report also adds that City are expected to pay ‘slightly higher’ than the €6 million (£5.2m) that Montpellier paid Juventus for the player back in 2020.
A move to City would see the England U20 international move back to the country five years after leaving. He came up through the youth teams at Arsenal and has previously had loan spells with Charlton Athletic and Preston North End.
Last season saw Mavididi score four times and provide a further two assists for Montpellier in Ligue 1. The winger has played a total of 98 times for the French side, scoring 21 goals and providing five assists.
