Luis Henrique has impressed with Botafogo this season (Getty Images)
According to Brazilian sports paper Lance (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Brazilian teenage sensation Luis Henrique.
The 18-year-old forward, who currently plays for Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo had impressed the Leicester City scouts who had been sent to scout him earlier this year.
Despite making his debut for Botafogo last year, 2020 has been Henrique’s breakthrough year, which has seen him establish himself as a regular in the current side. Predominantly a right-winger, the teenager is also equally adept in leading the line, making 10 appearances this year, scoring once and providing three assists so far.
Meanwhile, Leicester, who were impressed by Henrique’s potential, have not yet made an official approach for him. The Foxes will have to meet Henrique’s £26million release clause in his current contract if they wish to land him at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester are enjoying a successful spell in the Premier League under new boss Brendan Rodgers. They are currently 3rd in the league table and have secured an almost certain Champions League spot ahead of next season.
Leicester’s interest in young talent Henrique is understandable. At the moment, the Foxes do not have too many options on the right flank, with summer signing Ayoze Perez mostly being deployed in that position.
However, he is more of a second striker and the side clearly lacks an outright right-winger, prompting them to go in pursuit of Henrique. Leicester also have winger Demarai Gray in the side but the 23-year-old prefers to play mostly on the left.
Also, Gray has fallen down the pecking order under Rodgers this season, meaning Henrique’s arrival will offer the Foxes boss more options ahead of next season.
The Brazilian teenager is also capable of playing as a striker and could thus be an excellent future replacement for Leicester’s star striker Jamie Vardy. The in-form Vardy is already 33 now and the Foxes could do with a young striker like Henrique in their mix if they wish to stay on top for long.
Henrique’s versatility makes him a valuable asset for Leicester, who do not have many attacking forwards in their rank. They just have Kelechi Iheanacho as a back-up striker. The teenage Brazilian can offer Rodgers plenty of options if he arrives at King Power Stadium. Thus, Leicester should quickly sign the young forward, who could prove to be an excellent future investment.
