Why Ali Reghba would be a brilliant addition to the Leicester City squad
Republic of Ireland striker Ali Reghba is on trial at Leicester City and the Foxes are working on a compensation package to sign the Irish youngster.
Ali Reghba, 19, plays for Irish side Bohemian Football Club where the Irishman helped the Gypsies win the U19 league title in his debut season. He made his senior Bohemians debut earlier this season after graduating from their academy. In his first start, the forward scored a brace against St. Patrick’s Athletic and helped the club win 3-1.
The teenage sensation has had interest from Championship clubs Brentford, Leeds and Middlesbrough but according to the Daily Mail, the Foxes are set to make him their first signing of this window. Ali Reghba played for the Leicester U23s last week against Everton and impressed. He again started against Swansea and was involved in all of the three goals, scoring the first two and winning a penalty for the third.
The Irish youngster first impressed when on trial at Middlesbrough and was invited for a trial at Leicester, thanks to a recommendation of a scout. Although currently out of contract, Bohemians and his former club Shelbourne are entitled to compensations from Leicester and the deal is expected to be finalised in the coming days without any complications.
Born in Germany to Irish and Algerian parents, Ali Reghba has represented Ireland at U19 level and is in serious contention to be promoted to the U21s. The striker has previously stated his desire to try his luck in England but with possible work permit problems, Bohemians hope that he re-signs at Dalymount Park if he does not secure a move to England. (Independent)
Leicester have been struggling to score goals consistently this season, with Jamie Vardy being their only striker with any reasonable output. Vardy has scored seven times this season in 19 games, which is well below his own standards.
Shinji Okazaki and Kelechi Iheancho have underwhelmed for the Foxes, with the latter managing to find the net just once in the league this season. That’s where signing Reghba would make sense for Leicester as he will give a different dimension to the attack, potentially helping the team push up the table.
If the move goes through as expected, Reghba will look to emulate Vardy, whose meteoric rise from the lower leagues of English football to the Premier League is very well known to the footballing world. Under Claude Puel, Reghba will have a massive chance to take his game to the next level and make a mark in the Premier League.
