Francisco Trincao (Getty Images)
According to The Guardian, Leicester City have made an approach to sign Barcelona youngster Francisco Trincao on a two-year loan deal with an option to buy him for £45m later.
Trincao, 20, spent time at the academies of FC Porto and SC Vianense before joining Braga’s youth system in 2011. After excelling with Braga’s youth sides, he was promoted to the senior set-up in 2018. Though he struggled to make an impact in his debut season with the first-team, he became a regular member in the 2019/20 campaign and is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Portugal.
He has also represented Portugal at various age-group levels and was also instrumental in the country’s U19 European Championship win in 2018. He ended the tournament as the top scorer with 5 goals. His impressive performances so far earned him a move to Barcelona but he stayed back with the Portuguese outfit on loan. Thus, Leicester should manage to pull off the deal at the earliest.
At the moment, only two wingers are available at the manager’s disposal. Demarai Gray has been a regular squad member but he has seen limited opportunities. The former Birmingham man hasn’t been able to convince Rodgers and has racked up just 2 goals and 3 assists in 21 league games this season.
Malian Fousenni Diabate, who just returned from his loan spell with Amiens, has also not been up to the mark. Since joining the Foxes in the summer of 2018, he has been on the move and seems to have no future at the club.
Moreover, Gray has also been linked with a move elsewhere and without a proper winger, Leicester could struggle in the attacking department next term. Thus, they should make a move for a winger ahead of next season.
In that regard, Trincao would be a viable option for the club. The youngster has been in sensational form this season, racking up 8 goals and 8 assists in 27 Liga NOS games. And his numbers indicate he is one of the best players among his age group. He has also impressed for the has played so far and could be a good addition for Leicester.
With Gray and Diabate not at their best, the Portuguese youngster’s inclusion could come in handy for the manager. He is also capable of operating on either flank and could be a massive boost to the Foxes’ attacking unit, which has relied mainly upon the success of Vardy.
At 20, Trincao has already proven himself at a high level and under proper guidance, he could only get better. With limited quality in the wide areas, Leicester are in need of wingers and the former Porto youth player could provide them with some much-needed depth and quality in the future if he is able to continue with the same form.
