Leicester City suffer transfer blow less than 24 hours after Marti Cifuentes departs | OneFootball

Leicester City relieved Marti Cifuentes of his duties as manager and are now set for a transfer blow regarding Ibrahim Diabate of GAIS.

Leicester City have relieved Marti Cifuentes of his position as manager after losing 2-1 at home to Oxford United, but they may well be set for transfer disappointment on top of that.

Leicester are languishing in mid-table, with the Foxes potentially wasting a season of parachute payments by not challenging for promotion. They are still in search of reinforcements to improve their chances of a play-off berth.

Leicester now need to replace Cifuentes and have a strong final week of the transfer window, having not made a single signing so far in the winter market to speak of.

Leicester have lost more games than they have won, despite boasting the attacking talents of the likes of Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi. They sit 14th, which is nine points above the bottom three and six off Wrexham in sixth.

Given the quality of the squad, many would argue that they should be performing better than they are. However, additions are always welcome and are a way of getting fans excited and on board once again.

Leicester City to miss out on GAIS striker Ibrahim Diabate

Acquiring a striker with an eye for goal this month would undoubtedly help the Midlands outfit make more of a move towards the play-offs, especially following Julian Carranza's loan stint from Feyenoord being terminated.

Over a week ago now, it was revealed Leicester had agreed a deal for GAIS forward Ibrahim Diabate ahead of Wrexham. He finished as top scorer in the Allsvenskan alongside Birmingham City's August Priske.

The pair notched 18 league goals apiece in a league which plays a maximum of 30 matches. The Foxes have not enjoyed the services of a prolific striker since club legend Jamie Vardy departed in favour of a move to Serie A outfit Cremonese last summer.

With Fatawu sat on six league goals, Jordan James on nine, and Jordan Ayew and Bobby Reid on five apiece, it's clear to see goals have been somewhat of an issue for the Leicester forward line.

However, they are set for transfer disappointment with Diabate now. Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett has revealed that the 26-year-old was targeted by the Foxes this month, but he is now set to join Sharjah FC. That's because GAIS have agreed a deal with the UAE side for the striker.

Leicester City to sanction loan exit for striker

In the midst of Leicester failing to land a top striker target, they are set to let a forward go. Pete O'Rourke has the latest on a 17-year-old forward on their books.

Jake Evans is set to join League One side Northampton Town on loan. The 2008-born striker has made four appearances for the side, having come off the bench in 2024/25 on a few occasions.

He has yet to play for the senior side this term, having been an unused substitute in the FA Cup win for Leicester over Cheltenham Town a few weeks ago, as well as three Championship matches this season.

Evans did not come off the bench in three games back-to-back against Derby County, Bristol City, and Ipswich Town. The latter was the last time he was named amongst the substitutes in a league fixture.