Leicester City urged to beat Derby County in transfer race for 'fantastic' ex-Ipswich Town star | OneFootball

FLW's Leicester City fan pundit has given his reaction to the club's interest in former Ipswich Town forward Conor Chaplin.

A new era is underway at Leicester City following the appointment of Russell Martin as head coach.

It was another dismal campaign for Leicester last season as they suffered their second consecutive relegation, with Gary Rowett failing to save the club's Championship status after replacing Marti Cifuentes on a short-term contract in February.

After a lengthy managerial search, former Southampton and Rangers boss Martin was appointed as the Foxes' new head coach on a three-year deal earlier this month, and the 40-year-old is facing a big rebuilding job ahead of the upcoming League One season.

A number of high-profile names have left the King Power Stadium following relegation, with Ricardo Pereira, Jamaal Lascelles, Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka departing at the end of their contracts, and there are likely to be more exits to come before the end of the window.

However, it seems Martin has already started identifying transfer targets as he looks to strengthen his squad, with former Ipswich Town forward Conor Chaplin on Leicester's radar, as Football League World exclusively revealed earlier this week.

Previously, FLW also broke the news of interest from Derby County, and while the direction of the Rams' pursuit could now be altered following Bobby Clark's much-welcomed return to Pride Park, Chaplin is poised to represent a hot property on the free agent market this summer as a litany of Championship and League One outfits prepare to make their respective plays.

Chaplin scored 55 goals and provided 18 assists in 174 games during a five-year spell at Portman Road, but he was released by the Tractor Boys this summer after returning from an underwhelming season-long loan back with boyhood club Portsmouth, where he netted just twice in 37 appearances.

Leicester City told to seal Conor Chaplin deal following Ipswich Town exit

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When asked for his thoughts on the club's interest in Chaplin, FLW's Leicester City fan pundit Jamie Preston urged the club to get a deal done for the 29-year-old, but he admitted he has doubts over whether he would be willing to drop down to League One.

"Conor Chaplin would be an absolutely fantastic signing for Leicester," Jamie told FLW.

"We haven't had a goalscoring attacking midfielder for a long time since Andy King.

"If he could recreate his form of two or three years ago, he would be absolutely fantastic.

"He's just what we're missing in the middle of our midfield, somebody who can do box-to-box and score goals would be absolutely brilliant.

"I'm unsure whether he will drop down to League One, but a player of his calibre would be absolutely fantastic and a bit of win for Russell Martin if he is able to sign him.

"We've just got to wait and see.

"Once you get one decent signing in, another one might follow.

"I would 100% get Conor Chaplin in, he's a fantastic player.

"Would he come to League One again? I'm not sure."

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During Chaplin's last spell in League One, he scored a stunning 29 goals to help Ipswich to automatic promotion, so it is easy to see why Leicester are keen to bring him in following their relegation to the third tier.

Chaplin netted 13 times in the Championship the following campaign as the Tractor Boys won back-to-back promotions, but he has found the back of the net on just four occasions in the past two years, and his lack of impact during his loan spell at Portsmouth was a particular surprise.

If Martin can help Chaplin to regain his form, there is no doubt he could be a huge asset for Leicester next season as they target promotion at the first attempt, but it would be something of a risky move to sign a player whose best days may be behind him.