According to Fabrizio Romano, Leicester City are in advanced talks to sign winger Tete from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Brazilian is currently on loan at the French side Olympique Lyonnais and has represented Brazil at u20 and u23 levels. But The Foxes could face competition for the player with Leeds United also rumoured to be interested in the player once compared to Arjen Robben.
Leicester City In ‘Advanced Talks’ To Sign Tete
Leicester City And Leeds United Both Interested
Romano reported on Friday morning that Leicester were interested in signing Tete, with Brendan Rodgers looking to strengthen his team for the second half of the season. A deal for the 22-year-old could be concluded soon, with Romano reporting that the deal is now “at final stages.”
French outlet L’EQUIPE had reported that Leeds United hold a “strong interest” in the player. However, Romano has reported that Leeds are concentrating on signing Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.
Blanc Open To Letting Tete Leave
According to 90min, Tete had previously been offered to several Premier League clubs last month. Southampton reportedly came close to signing the winger last summer, while West Ham, Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal were all offered the chance to sign him.
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However, a move to Leicester now looks likely to happen, with Lyon manager Laurent Blanc open to ending Tete’s loan early as he seeks to revamp his attack.
Rodgers: ‘We Want To Improve The Squad’
Leicester are currently 14th and in a relegation battle this season, despite finishing fifth and eighth in the last two seasons.
Ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash against Walsall this weekend, Rodgers told reporters that he still wanted to improve the squad this January and that the club were working hard to recruit players.
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“Hopefully over the coming days we can do something,” Rodgers said. “The club are working very hard to give the team that boost that it needs and that we would like.
“It’s clear we want to improve the squad. For me, it’s about concentrating on the players who are here and trying to deliver the best performances we can.”
What Would Tete Bring To The King Power?
Leicester have already signed left-back Victor Kristiansen from FC Copenhagen this January, but Tete would be a welcome and much-needed addition as well.
He has mostly played on the right wing for Lyon, and this is an area where Rodgers lacks quality depth. Marc Albrighton is a useful squad option but not a go-to starter at 33 years old. And there is speculation that Ayoze Perez might be leaving the club soon.
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Harvey Barnes has shown he can be a quality player, but Rodgers needs a quality player on the other flank. With six goals and two assists for Lyon this season, Tete would be dangerous cutting in from the right, and his output would be useful for a Leicester side looking to remain in the Premier League.
