Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers on the touchline. (Getty Images)
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Leicester pursuing their interest in this talented €20m summer target would be a masterstroke by Rodgers

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Leicester City opinion: Should the Foxes revive interest in Andrea Petagna?

The Guardian reported in April that Leicester City had sent scouts to watch SPAL’s Andrea Petagna. The report revealed that the Foxes were considering a €20million bid this summer but the rumours have since quietened down.

The Foxes have just Jamie Vardy in their squad as a prolific number 9. Kelechi Iheanacho has been hugely underwhelming while Shinji Okazaki has been released by the club.

Islam Slimani, who spent the season on loan at Fenerbahce, is unlikely to have a chance again after a disappointing spell in Turkey.

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Vardy carried the Foxes to a top half finish in the Premier League last season by scoring 18 goals. The Englishman will undoubtedly remain the first choice at the King Power but at 32 years of age, he will need some support next season.

Brendan Rodgers will be looking to have an impact in his first ever transfer window as Leicester boss and a new striker should be high up in his agenda. The Foxes should reconsider their previously reported target in Andrea Petagna and the Italian would be a very smart signing.

Petagna is a completely different striker to Jamie Vardy and this could turn into a massive advantage if Leicester decide to play two up front next season.

Unlike the Englishman who plays on the shoulder of the last defender, Petagna is more of a false-nine who drops deep to help out in the build-up.

In ways similar to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, the Italian likes to drag the centre-halves with him when he drops deep to receive the ball, which would open up a ton of space for his fellow striker to exploit.

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If paired up with Vardy next season, the Englishman will have a field day with the amount of free space left open by the defender who will be dragged in by Petagna and Leicester can be sure of a good return of goals from their attackers.

The 23-year-old finished the season with a spectacular return of 17 goals and if he can get anywhere near that amount in the Premier League, the Foxes’ chances of a place in the Europa League spots at the end of next season.

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Conclusion

€20 million for a player of Andrea Petagna who has a decade of top-level football in front of him will be an absolute bargain for Leicester and Brendan Rodgers should make sure that the club pursue their interest in him in the summer.