Leicester plot midfield move and another centre-back after Ilari Kangasniemi deal | OneFootball

Ilari Kangasniemi has joined Leicester City from Inter Turku on a five-year deal, becoming their 10th summer signing. The 19-year-old is expected to step straight into Russell Martin's squad with options thin at centre-back.

LeicesterMercury.co.uk understands midfield is a priority in the final five days, and an experienced centre-back is expected to follow.

On Tuesday against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup, full-backs Luke Thomas and Bade Aluko started centrally. Wout Faes is expected to leave before the window shuts next Tuesday. Caleb Okoli, who missed the tie through injury, also has interest, and Ben Nelson is set to miss most of the season.

Kangasniemi has been playing regularly, with the Veikkausliiga running from April and his last outing on 16 August, so fitness should not be an issue. He also helped Inter Turku beat FK Sarajevo, Istanbul Basaksehir and FC Vaduz in Conference League qualifying.

He joins a back line already supplemented by Christian McFarlane's loan from Manchester City, while Admir Bristric, Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin and Liam Cullen have bolstered the attack. Martin said midfield could do with more experience, but added it depends on squad movement and results in the next game or two.

Martin said Hamza Choudhury will not be considered amid transfer interest, and Oliver Skipp's future is uncertain. Louis Page and Sammy Braybrooke impressed sharing the No.6 role in midweek. If Skipp departs, a defensive midfielder would be required, though Page could be part of the solution if he stays.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk

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