Leicester City have set their sights on Manchester United forward Amad Diallo, with the Daily Mail claiming the Foxes are planning a loan swoop for the youngster.
They see Diallo as a player that could aid their quest to secure a quick return to the Premier League following his hugely successful loan spell with Sunderland last season.
The 21-year-old scored 13 times and provided three assists in 37 league appearances, helping the Black Cats reach the Championship play-offs, where they lost out to Luton Town.
Leicester are hoping Diallo could be just as crucial for their promotion ambition, but they will face competitions from newly-promoted duo Burnley and Sheffield United, who are also keen.
Despite the growing interest in Diallo, Man United will not sanction a departure for the youngster yet. Erik ten Hag is keen to see what he can offer in pre-season before deciding where he ends up.
If Diallo takes his chance, he could be integrated into the first-team squad to rival Antony on the right wing. Otherwise, whichever club secures his services will have to guarantee regular playing time to bolster his development.
Antony was the only left-footed right winger in Man United’s roster last season, and the absence of a capable back-up posed a problem for Ten Hag. But Diallo offers the club a solution without having to spend a penny.
Leicester’s interest in Diallo stems from preparations for Harvey Barnes’s potential departure, with the Englishman attracting interest from Newcastle United, West Ham United and Aston Villa.
Barnes is unsurprisingly a highly sought-after forward this summer, having finished as top scorer for Leicester in a massively disappointing campaign.
Leicester have already lost several players following their relegation from the Premier League. James Maddison is the latest to depart King Power Stadium in favour of a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Barnes is expected to follow suit as soon as an acceptable proposal arrives, and the Foxes have identified Diallo as an ideal option to bolster their ranks.
