Marlon Santos could be set for a permanent move away from Barcelona, with Leicester City reportedly planning a £20 million summer move for the Brazilian.
According to The Sun, Leicester City are ready for another addition to their defence after sealing a deal for FC Porto star Ricardo Pereira. Barcelona defender Marlon Santos, who is currently on loan at OGC Nice, is being targeted by the Foxes, who are plotting a £20 million summer move for the Brazilian defender.
Leicester City finished in the top half and had a satisfactory campaign. But, the Foxes could have done much better than their tally of 49 points had they been a bit more solid at the back. Leicester conceded 60 goals in the league in the 2017-18 campaign, with only West Ham, Stoke City, Bournemouth and Watford leaking in more goals.
The Foxes conceded more goals than two of the three relegated sides – Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion – pointing towards the need for summer reinforcements. Claude Puel has already taken the first step by bringing in Ricardo Pereira for the right side of their defence.
But, the options at centre-back need improvement as well, both in terms of quality and quantity. Puel does have the likes of Harry Maguire and Aleksandar Dragovic as the first-choice centre-backs. But, it is the veterans, Wes Morgan and Robert Huth who need to be replaced, with both the players not pacy enough to control the speedsters of the Premier League anymore.
Marlon is on a two-season long loan to OGC Nice and has impressed in his first campaign in Ligue 1. The player though, could be set to cut his loan deal short, if a chance of a permanent move presents itself. Barcelona themselves are scouring potential additions to the options in central defence and thus need to muster up funds for another summer of big spending.
Marlon Santos’ season at OGC Nice pic.twitter.com/VMqUjZqpjt
— Eduard Sahakyan (@e13sahakyan) May 20, 2018
Leicester’s interest, thus, could entice Barcelona to agree to a deal for Marlon Santos, especially with the Catalans themselves likely to bring in players in his position that will make it even tougher for the Brazilian to make his mark at the Nou Camp, once he does return to the club after honouring the two-season loan deal.
As far as Leicester are concerned, £20 million for a 22-year-old defender, who has a season in Europe under his belt, is fair price. Marlon Santos will also be hungry to prove himself in a league as illustrious as the Premier League, which plays in Leicester’s favour. This looks like a deal the Foxes should be able to complete without too much hassle.
