Leicester City are weighing up a move for German U21 international Nadiem Amiri, according to Sport Bild via the Leicester Mercury.
The Hoffenheim midfielder has only one-year left on his contract at the club and also has a €14million release clause within his contract, which will expire at the end of the month.
It’s claimed that Leverkusen are also after the attacking midfielder, who may be looking at a long term replacement for Kai Havertz, who has been rumoured by Sport Bild with a move away from the club, to either Bayern, Liverpool or Barcelona.
The midfielder was part of Germany’s Euro U21 Championships campaign, where his country ended up losing in the final to Spain, chipping in with three goals and two assists in his five appearances.
Despite having picked up Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez already this window, it’s very clear that Leicester want another attacking midfielder in their ranks before the season starts.
They have already been linked with another number 10 in Dennis Praet, and it seems that Rodgers wants competition for the two advanced central midfielders – James Maddison and Tielemans.
Under Rodgers, Leicester have adapted their formation from a 4-2-3-1 – featuring a double pivot – into a 4-1-4-1 – featuring a single pivot (Transfermarkt). This means that there is now space for two more aggressive central midfielders, and right now Leicester only really have two players at a top-level who fit that bill.
Therefore, even though they have reinvested in that position already this summer, they want to add another player who can play as an eight, or even more slightly advanced as a 10, as the only others who can play that role are Matty James and Andy King. It’s not to say that these two are bad players, however, if Leicester want to be pushing for the top seven then more depth in those positions would be beneficial.
In Nadiem Amiri, they have that; a player who is able to play in central midfield or attacking midfield, or even on the flank if needed. He struggled a bit last season, having a couple of injuries, but still started 10 matches for Hoffenheim – mostly in central midfield.
At 22 he already has 106 Bundesliga appearances and has featured in two Euro U21 tournaments – so he fits the profile of what Rodgers is looking for.
Considering Amiri’s reduced price of €14million, Leicester should be willing to take a punt on the midfielder.
With him only being 22, he has time on his side and will be able to be nursed into this Leicester set up and will not have the immediate pressure of being chucked into the line-up.
After Maddison and Tielemans partnership in the middle of the park caused so many problems last year, you can see why Rodgers is seemingly wanting to go after a midfielder who can continue that if one of the two need a rest or get injured.
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