Marti Cifuentes reveals big Leicester City transfer boost | OneFootball

Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes has revealed a crucial Leicester City transfer boost ahead of the upcoming January window

On the eve of the January transfer window, Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes has delivered an important update on the future of impressive loanee Jordan James — which is sure to represent music to the ears of the Foxes faithful in what has proved a mixed campaign to date.

Leicester have struggled for consistency throughout the first-half of the campaign, with Cifuentes' side claiming statement victories over the likes of Ipswich Town, Stoke City and Birmingham while finding themselves unable to put the required run of form together to force their way into promotion contention after suffering relegation from the Premier League alongside the Tractor Boys and Southampton.

The Foxes have won nine, drawn seven and lost eight of their opening 24 games, which has positioned City in 12th place — four points shy of sixth-placed Watford at the end of the calendar year.

Developments in the winter transfer window, then, could be vital if Leicester are to make up ground in the season's latter stages and elevate towards the top of the Championship table.

Further reinforcements, of course, are sorely needed at the King Power Stadium, but the Foxes' ability to retain assets will also prove hugely important, with star winger Abdul Fatawu of reported interest to AFC Bournemouth amid Antoine Semenyo's impending blockbuster switch to Manchester City.

Leicester's standout performer, however, has arguably been the aforementioned James, who has offered a strong goalscoring presence in midfield throughout a hugely-impressive loan move from French outfit Rennes - and Cifuentes has now revealed a promising update on the Welsh international's immediate future in the East Midlands.

Marti Cifuentes reveals big Leicester City, Jordan James transfer boost

James has enjoyed a stunning impact at Leicester following his deadline-day loan switch, swiftly establishing himself as a firm fan favourite in the Foxes fanbase.

The Birmingham academy product is Leicester's leading goalscorer this term with seven strikes from just 20 appearances, having found the back of the net in consecutive outings against Watford and Derby County ahead of tomorrow evening's trip to Sheffield United.

With James continually thriving amid City's inconsistent league form, there has been concern that Rennes could look to recall the 21-year-old midfielder to either head into the rigor of Ligue 1 or be cashed in on. Leicester, of course, have an option to purchase James at the end of his loan spell.

However, Cifuentes has downplayed any lingering fears of James being recalled prematurely in what comes as a monumental boost for Leicester heading into the transfer window.

As reported by the Leicester Mercury, when quizzed on whether Rennes have a recall option in James' deal, the Spaniard simply shook his head. Cifuentes then said of the 25-cap Welsh international: "JJ is a very important player for us. We’re very happy with him.

"Again he’s another guy who wants to improve and wants to make his mark on everything we do.

"We have a plan, as a club, with him, for sure. The most important thing is that he’s happy here."

Jordan James reveal gives Leicester City one less January transfer worry

Leicester have a number of issues to address in January if they are to double-down on their promotion ambitions and become more competitive for a quick Premier League return, which means Cifuentes' update on James is a significant boost and the Foxes now have one less worry heading into the new year.

Had Rennes been able to recall James and done as such, Leicester would have found themselves scrambling to replace him.

That would not have proved an easy task, however, with the Hereford-born starlet having established himself as the finest goalscoring midfielder at Championship level, consistently proving a huge, all-action outlet in the middle of the park for Cifuentes' side.

Leicester still urgently need a striker, as the likes of Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka have both struggled for form this season while Argentine loan forward Julian Carranza is reportedly set to be recalled from his goalless loan stay by parent club Feyenoord and sold to Necaxa of the Mexican top-flight.

The Foxes' defence is also among the leakier in the Championship and requires some fine-tuning, whereas Fatawu's future in Leicestershire is poised to come into question once more and keeping him at all costs is right up there with the club's chief transfer priorities heading into January and beyond.

It's not clear how the winter window will play out for Leicester, who continue to face no shortage of frustration and uncertainty but have been handed a timely, and potentially season-defining, boost with Cifuentes' reveal on James.