Dan’s still the man for Puel
CITY AIM TO HANG ON TO VERSATILE AMARTEY
LEICESTER City are happy to keep hold of Daniel Amartey despite interest in the versatile Ghana international, while Ahmed Musa could make a bigmoney move to Saudi Arabia, writes James Sharpe.
Amartey has attracted plenty of suitors this summer with relegated Premier League trio West Brom, Stoke and Swansea all said to have enquired about his availability.
However, the Mercury understands that City are
been trying to find a place in Claude Puel’s team, but towards the end of the season he began to show his potential. His goal against Spurs at Wembley, which came off the back of a strike against Arsenal, demonstrated why City had decided to pay such a fee for his services.
Iheanacho didn’t have a great World Cup with Nigeria and was voted in the worst team of the tournament by French newspaper L’Equipe, but that is harsh on Iheanacho, a young player who has had to deal with huge hype and expectation ever since his starring role for the Nigeria under-17s’ World Cup winning side.
His contribution for City has certainly been more impressive so far than his fellow countryman Ahmed Musa, who has scored just two Premier League goals in 21 appearances for City over two seasons.
In contrast, Musa made a big impact at the World Cup and City look likely to recoup their initial £16 million investment and more with Saudi Arabian side All Nassr in talks. City believe Iheanacho will come good given more time and development.
Likewise, Adrien Silva’s stats within the report are not exactly favourable, but again they don’t tell the full story.
City paid £22 million for the Portugal international and with midfielders rated on goals and assists, Silva’s single Premier League assist has him rated as the most costly midfield signing, although the report states City paid £26 million. However, it is still substantially more than second-placed Mario Lemina, of Southampton, whose goals and assists cost the Saints £9.34 million. Silva endured a disrupted season and whether he will be a transfer hit can be properly assessed after this campaign. Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic is also included in the report, ranking second in the most costly goalkeepers per save at £408,250 per save.
City have already invested heavily with Ricardo Periera and James Maddison both arriving for £20 million-plus deals, while Jonny Evans has joined for just £3.5 million, which seems an absolute steal for such an experienced defender. But those bargains are proving increasingly difficult to find. RECORD BUY: Riyad Mahrez not looking to actively move Amartey on this window with Claude Puel impressed with his versatility as a central midfielder, right-back or central defender.
Meanwhile, Musa is in talks over a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, but Leicester are unlikely to land the staggering £40 million fee that has been reported.
Multiple international outlets have claimed Musa will move for the eye-watering figure after a string of impressive performances at the World Cup, including a match-winning double against Iceland.
The Mercury understands that the move to take Musa to Al Nassr could go through but that the fee that has been reported is an inflated figure, which possibly includes Musa’s potential personal terms.
Even so, City could still receive close to £30 million, which would still see the club nearly double their money on a player they paid £16m for from CSKA Moscow to years ago.
Musa’s performances at the World Cup prompted some fans to change their mind on whether Musa should be given another chance at City, but the club are understood to be willing to cash in.
Despite being a club-record signing at the time, Musa never fulfilled his price tag or early promise following a stunning pre-season brace against Barcelona.
Musa has made just 21 appearances for Leicester in the Premier League, scoring two goals. Since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri in February 2017, Musa has made just four appearances for the club and spent the second half of last season back at CSKA Moscow.
He has been linked with a number of clubs, including Galatasaray, but a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia looks like it could be on the cards.
Amartey has also struggled to break into the City side since his £5 million move from Copenhagen in January 2016 and was mainly used as an alternative to rightback Danny Simpson last season, before missing the end of the campaign with a hamstring injury.
His future did appear in doubt with Puel’s squad overflowing with central midfield options as Amartey competes with Vicente Iborra, Wilfred Ndidi, Adrien Silva, Andy King, Matty James, Hamza Choudhury and Papy Mendy.
Some of them will need to be sold this summer if Puel is to find the good balance he wants in his squad. However, he is happy to hold on to the versatile Amartey.