Leicester City were on the verge of securing two high-profile attacking signings last week, but the deals ultimately fell through, manager Steve Cooper has revealed.
Speaking to the media, Cooper expressed his frustration at missing out on the unnamed targets, stating that he was “certain” the transfers would go through before they collapsed at the final hurdle.
“We were that close to two attacking players last week. I was certain it was going to happen,” Cooper said. “There’s no particular order in terms of how these guys come in, in terms of positions. Certain areas we hope to be stronger in depth than where we are at this moment in time. We’re intending to, and we have to bring in more players before the end of the window. Hopefully this week before Fulham, and at the top end of the pitch, so we can have more variety and more strength in depth there.”
One of the players Cooper was referencing is believed to be Adam Hlozek, the highly-rated Czech striker who was reportedly close to joining Leicester, only for Bundesliga club Hoffenheim to swoop in and secure his signature.
The failure to land these attacking reinforcements has not deterred Cooper, however, as the Foxes have already made one significant signing this week – Oli Skipp from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £20 million fee.
“It’s great to sign him,” Cooper said of Skipp. “We want to honour what the boys did last year, it was amazing. But to honour it, we have to strengthen the team and squad. Oli offers us strength now, a different profile in midfield. This league is brutal. You have to be able to have a more competitive starting team and also when you make changes. That’s what the game is now, it’s about changes, it’s about five subs, and the impact those changes can have on a game.”
Despite the setbacks in the transfer market, Cooper remains optimistic about Leicester’s prospects for the upcoming season, with the club still actively pursuing additional reinforcements, particularly in the attacking positions.
“We’re intending to, and we have to bring in more players before the end of the window. Hopefully this week before Fulham, and at the top end of the pitch, so we can have more variety and more strength in depth there,” the manager said.
As Leicester City prepare for their first away game of the season against Fulham on Saturday, the focus will be on integrating Skipp into the team and continuing the search for the elusive attacking signings that could provide the extra firepower needed to push the Foxes back towards the top of the Premier League table.
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