Leicester City aren’t sure if they will be a Premier League or Championship club, for now.
As it stands with 11 games of the season to go, the Foxes look set for a second relegation in the space of three seasons and are 19th in the Premier League, five points adrift.
They now face a horrible run of fixtures and is a huge reason why Opta have tipped Leicester to go down.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, or any other manager if he decides to leave or is sacked, knows that this squad requires major surgery.
Several players are expected to leave Leicester this summer, which will require a huge overhaul.
Youth players are expected to dominate the starting XI if Leicester are relegated, but there are plenty of talented names that are out of contract at Premier League clubs that would make great options for the Foxes.
So, with that, here are seven players out of contract at top flight clubs this summer that the Foxes should try and sign.
Kyle Walker-Peters, Southampton
A name familiar to Leicester fans. The Foxes wanted Kyle Walker-Peters in January and was seen as a strong option, however, Leicester were put off by Southampton’s price tag for the full-back.
Walker-Peters has plenty of Premier League and Championship experience, and can operate on the left and right hand side of a defence, both in a back four and as a wing back in a three-man central defence.
Sounds like a no brainer, no? Southampton are all-but relegated and if the Foxes join them it may be hard to convince him to do what he’d have only done if he remained on the south coast.
Tariq Lamptey, Brighton & Hove Albion
The youngest of the suggestions on the list at 24, Tariq Lamptey will be known to Leicester after he scored in the Foxes’ 2-2 draw against Brighton earlier this season.
Lamptey almost joined Ajax in the January transfer window but remained at the Amex Stadium. The full-back was signed from Chelsea and had plenty of promise but seems to have fallen behind in the pecking order.
Nevertheless, he still has time to improve and would suit Van Nistelrooy’s style of play down to a tee. Additionally, he’d be considered one of the best full-backs in the Championship.
Fabian Schar, Newcastle United
The second option is another defender, this time a centre-back. After the failed deadline day swap deal involving Craig Dawson and Conor Coady, it’s obvious which position Van Nistelrooy would like to improve most.
Fabian Schar is no spring chicken at the age of 33 but he has been part of a Newcastle United side that has steadily improved over the years. Schar would also be classed as a far better defender than Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes and could help develop younger talents like Ben Nelson and Caleb Okoli.
Victor Lindelof, Manchester United
Given Van Nistelrooy’s contacts with Manchester United, Victor Lindelof seems like a viable option.
Lindelof may decide that he is above Leicester given his previous pedigree with clubs such as Benfica and on the international stage with Sweden, but it gives him a chance to resurrect his career.
At Leicester, the 30-year-old would be a nailed-on starter and a significant upgrade.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure is the man who scored the goal that sent Leicester down in the 2022/23 season but despite the resurgence under David Moyes at Goodison Park, the midfielder remains out of contract in the summer.
Doucoure can operate in the defensive role or as a number eight and with the likes of Wilfred Ndidi of interest to Atletico Madrid, the 32-year-old could be a great addition to the squad should there be departures.
Adama Traore, Fulham
His end product may not be the best and no doubt frustrating to watch, but Adama Traore at Fulham is a player that most would rather have than play against.
His frightening pace and forward-thinking style of play would add an extra dynamic to the Foxes’ attack.
Traore would provide genuine competition for Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu, whether that be as an impact sub or dislodging their starting XI spot.
Callum Wilson, Newcastle United
A risky one, given his injury record, but if you can keep him fit he’d guarantee goals.
Callum Wilson was born and raised in the Midlands and at the age of 33 would likely relish a move back closer to home.
Wilson would be a short-term fix but is still five years younger than Jamie Vardy and would help plug a gap/provide an extra option in the attack whilst Leicester try and find a first-choice number nine.