Why Leicester City should go all out for Andrea Petagna in January

Back in April, a report from the Guardian had claimed that Leicester City were interested in signing Atalanta striker Andrea Petagna, who was then on loan at SPAL.

Andrea Petagna, 24, joined Atalanta from AC Milan in January 2016, and after a decent spell, he was transferred to SPAL last summer on a loan with an obligation to buy.

The one-cap Italy international was instrumental in helping SPAL avoid relegation, scoring 16 goals in 36 Serie A matches last season. And in July, SPAL completed the permanent signing of the 24-year-old striker.

Leicester City, meanwhile, had a decent summer transfer window, with the likes of James Justin, Ayoze Perez and Dennis Praet arriving at the King Power Stadium, while the club also made the permanent signing of Youri Tielemans from AS Monaco.

Jamie Vardy has been brilliant under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, scoring goals left, right and centre since the Northern Irishman’s appointment in the second half of last season. But beyond the wily Englishman, the Foxes lack a prolific goalscorer.

Kelechi Iheanacho has failed to live up to the billing at the King Power Stadium, while Shinji Okazaki was released at the end of last season.

Ayoze Perez, who joined from Newcastle United in the summer, is yet to set the world alight after enjoying a really good pre-season with Rodgers’ side.

Question marks continue to hang as to who’ll shoulder the mantle if Vardy gets injured. And as Vardy has already turned 32, Rodgers needs to also plan for his long-term replacement.

In that case, Andrea Petagna would be a good choice for Leicester City. An old-school centre-forward, Petagna is a big man with solid technique and body control.

He is a good dribbler and a composed finisher in front of goal, with a promising goalscoring record in Serie A. Despite being physical, the Italian is no hold-up player and is at his best facing towards goal and picking out quick runners.

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The 24-year-old is known for his ability to get into promising positions and link-up play around the box. 

Strong in the air and excellent at holding up the ball, Petagna packs a lot of power in his left foot, whilst being a threat from set-pieces. Truly, the likes of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes would be licking their lips of having the prospect of Petagna in the opposition box.

Verdict

The Foxes certainly need a prolific goalscorer to support Vardy and replace him in a couple of years’ time. Petagna would simply be ideal for the Foxes, and thus, Rodgers should go all out to sign him in January.