According to reports in The Mirror, Leicester City are considering offloading up to three of their players in the January transfer window, including centre-back Yohan Benalouane.
The Tunisia international cost the club £5m when they signed him from Serie A outfit Atalanta in 2015 but he has made just 18 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes since then.
The 30-year-old is yet to play a single minute of first-team football for the east Midlands outfit this term – failing to even make any of the matchday squads in the Premier League – and a move away looks certain in the New Year.
Meanwhile, Leeds United’s recent struggles continued on Wednesday night when they were beaten 4-1 by leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers and the defence that seemed so strong at the start of the campaign has been anything but in recent weeks.
Whites boss Thomas Christiansen will already be thinking about making additions in January to try and resurrect the Yorkshire side’s promotion push, and bringing in Benalouane could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Leeds should sign the Leicester centre-back in the upcoming transfer window…
They need a centre-back
After conceding just two goals in their opening seven matches of the Championship season, Leeds have let in 22 goals in 11 matches since and it seems they are missing the presence of Kyle Bartley in the backline.
He and Pontus Jansson forged a formidable partnership at the heart of the Yorkshire outfit’s defence last term, but the Swede looks a completely different player from the dominant one he was then without the 26-year-old alongside him.
With Liam Cooper equally unimpressive right now and Matthew Pennington seemingly not good enough to start on a consistent basis, Christiansen should be looking for an experienced performer like Benalouane in the New Year.
Defensive qualities
Benalouane didn’t appear at all for Leicester City in the Premier League last season until Wes Morgan suffered an injury in March, but he then started their final 11 top flight matches of the campaign as the Foxes avoided being sucked into a relegation battle.
The 30-year-old certainly showed the qualities he brings to the backline and according to Squawka he made 54 interceptions, 27 clearances and five blocks in those outings, while he also won 16 aerial duels and 15 tackles.
Those attributes and the fact he doesn’t mind a battle against an opposition centre-forward could make the 6 foot 2 defender the perfect addition for Leeds in January.
Cut-price fee
Having cost £5m when Leicester signed him in 2015 and having not made many appearances for the club since, it is possible that Benalouane could be available for a cut-price fee in January.
That is something that could tempt Leeds considering they don’t have bottomless pockets, and the chance to bring in a player on a permanent deal rather than on loan (who may not be as committed) should also attract Christiansen and the Yorkshire outfit into making an offer for the 30-year-old.
Do you agree, Leeds fans? Let us know below.
