Leicester City set to be handed transfer setback in pursuit of Valencia player | OneFootball

Leicester City are one of the clubs interested in signing Raul Jimenez from Valencia

Leicester City have been name-checked in a potential move for young Valencia goalkeeper Raul Jimenez - but they look set to miss out on the teenage talent.

According to Spanish outlet AS, the Foxes wanted to strengthen their goalkeeping depth with the addition of the 19-year-old this month.

The teenager has yet to make an appearance for Valencia's first-team squad just yet, but he is a highly-rated talent by the Spanish outfit.

The teenager has impressed at underage level, and has been included in matchday squads in La Liga, despite the fact he has not made his debut yet.

Leicester currently have three options in goals, including first-choice Jakub Stolarczyk, as well as secondary options Asmir Begovic and Fran Vieites, with Jimenez perhaps being seen as one for the future.

Leicester were said to be among the clubs interested in a deal for Jimenez, as well as Italian second tier side Modena.

However, the Foxes are looking likely to miss out on any potential deal for the shot-stopper this month.

It has been claimed that the 19-year-old is set to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Mestalla in order to commit his future to Carlos Corberan’s first team squad.

It’s believed that the extension will include a release clause worth £52 million, which is somewhat typical of contracts for La Liga players - and that is something that Leicester are nowhere near affording.

Jimenez has also already been capped by the Spanish national team at the under-20 level, although he did not feature at the FIFA World Cup last October for that age group despite making the squad.

Leicester are currently without a manager, and it is unclear how this will impact their immediate ability to conduct any remaining transfer business this month.

Martí Cifuentes was relieved of his position earlier this week, leaving the team 14th in the Championship table ahead of their clash with Charlton Athletic on Saturday in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Raul Jimenez pursuit set to fall on deaf ears at Leicester City

Leicester are not as attractive a proposition as they were a few years ago, and now that is being reflected in their ability to chase transfer targets.

Jimenez has no immediate pathway to first team football at Valencia, but he is willing to be patient and bide his time under Corberan instead of potentially moving to the King Power Stadium.

And whilst he's definitely not worth the £52 million release clause that he's set to sign, Jimenez surely has potential considering he's already around the Valencia first-team, and perhaps he sees a pathway there rather than uprooting his life to move to England.

Leicester’s main priority is now hiring a manager, but having to do that during the end of the window means the coach chosen to replace Cifuentes will have no time to bring in his own targets for improving the squad.