Why signing Muriqi could offer Leicester more options in attack
According to Turkish outlet HaberGlobal, via Sport Witness (h/t Leicester Mercury), Leicester City are interested in Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi.
The high-flying Foxes, who are currently playing some terrific football under manager Brendan Rodgers had sent scouts to Istanbul to watch the Kosovan international in action.
Muriqi did not disappoint as he won accolades scoring a brace in his side’s 5-2 defeat of Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday night.
The striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 goals from 13 appearances for the fifth-placed Fenerbahce, whom he joined last summer from Caykur Rizespor. With 9 goals to his name, the 25-year old Muriqi is the league’s joint top-scorer alongside three others.
Muriqi’s superb displays this season has caught the attention of other clubs such as AS Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt, who had also sent scouts to Istanbul to watch the man in form, the report added.
Meanwhile, Leicester could also face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who had scouted the forward back in September, the report claims.
Leicester are in sensational form, having won all of their last eight league matches. It has been a smooth ride so far for Rodgers and his team, who sit second in the table with 12 wins from an overall 16 league games.
The team has clicked in all departments, especially in front of the goal, with star striker Jamie Vardy in the form of his life.
The veteran English striker is the league’s leading goalscorer with 16 goals. Though his recent performances have been top-notch this season, it does not make him any younger.
He is already 32 and Leicester need a suitable replacement for the talismanic finisher if they are to compete at the highest level in the coming future. Hence, Leicester’s interest in prolific goal-scorer Muriqi does not come as a surprise.
Also, Leicester have just one backup striker in their ranks – Kelechi Iheanacho. Vardy’s match-winning displays in the attack have often restricted the youngster to the benches this season.
However, Rodgers offered him a chance recently and the 23-year old has repaid his managers’ faith in him by scoring consecutively in the matches he started.
Since being offered a chance, he has hit the target twice from as many games, and has also contributed with 2 assists. However, a dip in form or an injury could alter the course of Foxes’ future, which at the moment seems to be ticking perfectly.
The in-form Muriqi has been equally brilliant for his national side, scoring 6 times from 12 appearances this year. He has a total of 8 goals from 23 games he has played so far.
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Muriqi’s 6ft 4in frame makes him a powerful presence. Blessed with good aerial finishing, the Kosovan could offer Rodgers’ Foxes, who play a fast counter-attacking game, more options in front of goal.
For a side that is quite strong in the final third, Muriqi’s link-up play would open up more chances for others in the attack to score.
Verdict
In Muriqi, Leicester have a suitable future replacement for old guard Vardy. Moreover, with Iheanacho still developing, it would be immensely beneficial for the Foxes if they sign the in-form Kosovan.