Why Leicester City should go for Porto striker Moussa Marega this summer
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (h/t Leicester Mercury), Leicester City have been linked with FC Porto striker Moussa Marega ahead of the summer transfer window.
Since moving from Maritimo to join FC Porto in 2016, Moussa Marega, 28, has transformed into a crucial player for the club. He scored 22 goals in 2017/18 campaign, guiding Porto to the domestic title. The forward replicated his goalscoring form last season, netting 21 goals in 47 games across all competitions.
The Mali international’s productivity in front of goal has diminished this term, yet he has managed nine goals in 35 appearances. Marega has seemingly fallen out of favour at the club and Porto are willing to sell him in the summer transfer window as they are in need of money, A Bola claims. (h/t Leicester Mercury)
The report (h/t Leicester Mercury) adds that as Porto have to comply with Financial Fair Play rules and regulations, they have reduced Marega’s release clause from €40million to €30million.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job in his first full season at Leicester City, with the Midlands side currently placed third in the table. They have played some exciting football over the course of the season, with attacking players like Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans linking up in the best possible way and scoring plenty of goals.
The Foxes are well-placed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Rodgers will definitely need a bigger squad next season to compete in Europe as well as in domestic competitions. Thus, the Northern Irish tactician should beef up his squad in the summer by signing some quality players.
Jamie Vardy has enjoyed a fantastic season, netting 19 goals in 26 league games. He has performed at the highest level and Kelechi Iheanacho has played the supporting role in the best way.
However, Rodgers has only Vardy and Iheanacho as options in the strike department, with Islam Slimani on loan at AS Monaco. Plus, Vardy is 33 and not getting any younger, so Rodgers will need to plan for his replacement as well.
Thus, there’s a clear need to strengthen the striking department and Rodgers must bring in reinforcement in the form of Moussa Marega.
Essentially a centre-forward, Marega is capable of playing across a front three, so he’ll provide versatility to Rodgers, allowing the Leicester manager to alter his tactics as per the situation and opposition.
The Mali international has proven himself in Portugal, netting 54 goals and supplying 26 assists in 135 appearances for Porto. He also has international pedigree, having represented Mali 24 times, netting three goals.
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Leicester are in need of strengthening the centre-forward department, especially if they qualify for the Champions League next season. And Marega would add experience and depth to the squad.
Verdict
In a couple of years’ time, Leicester will need a striker to cover for Vardy, who is ageing. Therefore, the Foxes must gather the resources and attempt to lure Marega to the King Power Stadium in the summer.
