January Transfer Window 2021: Who Should our Foxes buy this January?

As 2020 draws to a close and the Premier League commences their annual boxing day fixtures, all Premier League teams are preparing to reinforce their teams in areas of issues. The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham will most likely be in the race for many top additions in the 30 days of January, but what about our Foxes? Today I will provide insight into some of my esteemed list of players who the Foxes should consider signing in the next upcoming weeks. My list will be based purely on two things: players who can improve the squad and individuals who can provide the much-awaited depth we have been looking for around our squad. Let us dive in, shall we!

#1: Gonzalo Plata

Current Market Value: $4.40 Million (3.6 Million Pounds)

Coming from the South American country of Ecuador, 20-year-old Gonzalo Plata is one of my most highly regarded players that Leicester should consider buying this winter. Currently playing his football at “Los Leões” (Sporting CP), Gonzalo boasts many qualities that can enhance our bench, replacing the void that Demarai Gray has not been able to fill for many months under Brendan Rodgers. Valued only at around 3.6 million pounds, Plata would not cause detrimental financial turmoil within the club’s finances and would be a great project for the future. In terms of strengths for his age, Plata possesses great skill on the ball, has a great left foot for being a right-footed player, and has decent finishing. Unfavored by manager Rúben Amorim this season, it seems like luring Gonzalo to the King Power would not be a difficult task. “Platita” (as some people call him in Ecuador) reminds me of a young Ousmane Dembele at Dortmund, which is why he might have been under the radar of Barcelona back around May. Platita has explosive pace and an exceptional change of rhythm when he runs on the wing, which would work exquisitely for us to reinforce our right attacking side. The only weakness that is apparent to me for me to critique for Platita is that he is not really good at crossing the ball, but that is obviously an area in which Brendan can help him improve. I love the way he cuts in on the left and shoots, which is something I wish to see every single weekend at the King Power. I hope Platita comes to Leicester soon, as we have been linked to him as of late November.

Here is just an overview of Gonzalo Plata’s overall stats last season:

#2: Florian Thauvin

Current Market Value: $35.20 Million (28.80 Million Pounds

Oh, Thauvin! 27-year-old French winger Florian Thauvin has to be my second player on this list. The current Marseille player has been linked with a move to Leicester for about a year now, and his expiring contract in the Summer sees Marseille obliged to sell him or pin a new contract as hastily as possible. Although many Premier League fans remember Florian for being a complete flop at Newcastle, Florian's move to Marseille from the Premier League in 2016 was the best move he could have made for his career. At Marseille, Thauvin unleashed his true touted potential and has shown the world what he is truly capable of. The Frenchman is now known for his great versatility on the field, especially for his creative ability. Currently during the writing of this article, Thauvin is tied in first for most key chances created in Ligue 1 (10) alongside Di María and Depay, as well as being tied in first for most assists in the league with 6. Thauvin can play as a forward, left-winger, attacking midfielder, and right-winger. At a probable reduced fee due to his expiring contract, Thauvin would be a no-brainer signing for the Foxes, as he is currently at the peak of his career. Primarily playing as a right-winger at Marseille, Florian is outstanding at setting up teammates with his great through balls and short passes, cutting inside and providing great crosses, extraordinary dribbling technique, and strong finishing. If Brendan wants someone who can cover an array of different areas of play, seek no more further in Florian as his answer.

Thauvin is currently being eyed by many top clubs as a result of his expiring contract. Our only big rival at the moment for Thauvin's signature is AC Milan, who want to sign him on a free in the Summer.

#3:Emiliano Buendía

Current Market Value: $17.60 Million (14.4 Million Pounds)

Undoubtedly the most sought-after player during this transfer window among Premier League clubs, 23-year-old Emiliano Buendía must be on our radar. Remarkably staying at Norwich after their relegation from the Premier League last season, Emiliano pinned down a new contract with the “Canaries” and has been balling in the Championship ever since. Averaging 3.4 key passes so far in this current Championship season, Emi would provide us with great creative opportunities in the final third that we would love to see. Not only is his passing elite, but his crossing ability is as well. Emi can also play as a center-attacking midfielder, which would give us great depth and an exceptional alternative to James Maddison. During the current time of this written article, Emiliano has played 16 games this season in England’s second division, scoring six and assisting 7. Bringing Buendía to the King Power would be very difficult, especially as Liverpool are said to be ready to make an offer on the player born in Mar De Plata, Argentina. I just want to see a South American arrive at the King Power as soon as possible, and Emi can be the chosen one this January of 2021.

Buendía is destined to move from Norwich this January. He has been exceptional.

#4: Luka Jović

Current Market Value: $24.20 Million (19.80 Million Pounds)

Yes, you read that right. Luka Jovic is the fourth player that I believe Leicester should consider signing this January. The 24-year-old Serbian, who has not seen a single minute of football action since the 8^th of November, needs to get game time elsewhere consistently rather than scarcely. The Serbian international has not been able to show his lethal scoring ability that he possessed at Eintracht Frankfurt only two seasons ago, and Benzema’s form as of late has not helped him either. Everyone knows that Luka has the ability to succeed, but that is only under a system of play in which he has the confidence of his teammates and manager alike. Bringing Luka from Madrid on a loan with a possible option to buy would be an amazing acquisition for the Foxes, as I believe he could truly be a great candidate for the much-anticipated Vardy replacement. I believe that if Brendan gave him the chance, Luka would prove his ability and possibly become a starter for us alongside Vardy. Only time will tell if this can become a reality, but Luka is truly one of my favorite alternatives for our much-desired striker necessity. Luka is a very dominant finisher, loves to pass the ball, and is a true counter-attacking threat. He is currently coming off a pretty stressful couple of weeks, as he tested positive for Corona Virus and is currently sidelined suffering from tendonitis. Regardless of those setbacks, I believe taking a gamble for him on a loan deal would be a smart option for us.

#5: Matías Arezo

Current Market Value: $.1.10 Million (900 Thousand Pounds)

Probably the cheapest option of the bunch, Matias Arezo is my wild pick for this list. Currently playing his football at “Los Darseneros” (Club Atletico River Plate de Montevideo), Arezo is known for being a young prodigy for the future. At only 18 years of age, Matías would be a long-term project for Brendan, which would be very intriguing and exciting for all Foxes fans. Brendan has already managed an Uruguayan by the name of Luis Suarez in the past, so I am assured that he would be able to instill many qualities into the Montevideo striker. Currently, Arezo loves to chase the ball, has great technical ability, and possesses decent finishing. He also has a great right foot and decent heading ability at 18. Matías has already played 26 matches this season, scoring in 11 of those affairs. He is already being touted as being the next Luis Suarez, so why not let Brendan unleash his full potential just like he did with Suarez back at Liverpool? Money might not be such an issue here, so this seems like a very enticing deal in my opinion.

Arezo during a Copa Sudamericana game, the "South American Europa League".

#6: Karim Adeyemi

Current Market Value: $9.90 Million (8.10 Million Pounds)

My sixth player in this list comes all the way from the well-known RB Salzburg, which has been known for breeding talent such as Haaland, Mané and Sabitzer. Karim Adeyemi, a German 18-year-old who was cultivated mostly at SpVgg Unterhaching, would be a great signing for us. Karim was released by Bayern München’s youth system back in 2012, which has certainly motivated him to become the player he is now. Possessing great dribbling ability for a striker, Karim likes to drop down and link play for attacking midfielders. This dribbling ability alongside with amazing agility makes it difficult to out possess him with the ball in transition, which reminds me a lot of Vardy. Similarly, Adeyemi likes to suddenly press players, especially opposition defenders seeking to play short passes with their goalkeeper at the back. Compared to a player like Arezo, Adeyemi is much more proven. This season Karim has played 12 games with the first team, scoring 2 goals and 4 assists. Karim even got to debut in the Champions League, scoring against Lokomotiv Moscow in a 20-minute display granted to him by Jesse Marsch. Nevertheless, Karim will surely turn into a great player in the future with the right guidance and training, which I believe Vardy and B.R. can grant him. Do not be surprised if Arsenal or Liverpool enquire about the striker soon, as he is compared a lot to Kylian Mbappé.

My Dream Signing: Lucas Ocampos

Current Market Value: $55 Million (45 Million Pounds)

I just could not miss out on putting him on this list. Lucas Ocampos, one of my favorite players at the moment in La Liga, would just be an amazing signing for us if we had the economic flexibility for his signature. Lucas’ stock has risen so high in the last couple of months due to Sevilla winning the Europa League and his amazing form, which is why he has become a dream signing on my list. An experienced winger, Ocampos loves to cut inside and dribble, preferring to settle for a 1-on-1 rather than crossing in the ball. He is currently third among forwards in successful dribbles in all of La Liga, right behind Iago Aspas and the great Lionel Messi. Every single time I see Lucas play, I know he is playing with the utmost passion and dedication for his club, which makes him such an amazing team player. If Brendan were to assist him in becoming more apt to floating in crosses, I could see him becoming one of the best wingers in the game. At 26 years of age, Ocampos is truly in his prime form. I would be surprised if he stays at Sevilla for anything more than a year or two longer, as he would be such an admirable addition to any top club in the world at the moment. I know I might sound biased, but I just enjoy his playstyle so much. Lucas would most certainly cost anything around 50 to 60 million pounds, which is a price that we would most certainly not be able to afford at the moment.