Leicester City is dominating the Championship and leads the standings by an 11-point margin, yet success attracts clubs from all over Europe to want to sign their players.
The Foxes won their 23rd game of the season on Saturday afternoon at the Bet365 Stadium, beating Stoke City 5-0. The former Premier League team is headed for a return to the top division with 16 games left in the regular season.
During the weekend, attacker Patson Daka scored a goal. The Zambian center forward, who spent the whole of January abroad at the African Cup of Nations, returned to club action a little over a week ago and helped Leicester City defeat Swansea City 3-1. On Saturday, he scored a brace at Stoke.
Under head coach Enzo Maresca, the 25-year-old hasn’t played in many games this season, but he has still managed to produce nine goal contributions in just 10 outings, including six goals.
Daka attracted attention from numerous teams in Europe’s top five leagues, including Bournemouth, Real Betis, and AS Roma, following the club’s relegation to the Championship last season, but no trade materialized.
But as head coach Manuel Pellegrini looks to improve his attack line, Real Betis is eager to make another approach for the Zambian international once the summer transfer market opens, according to Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo.
Daka transferred from Red Bull Salzburg to the King Power Stadium in 2021 for an alleged £23 million, but according to Transfermarkt, his market value is approximately £12 million. Currently, it’s unclear how much Leicester City is willing to pay for the player or even if they are
Author’s Perspective
Because of the AFCON and the outstanding play of Leicester City’s other forwards, Daka hasn’t had as much playing time as he would have liked this season. His nine goal contributions in nine Championship games, however, is a very remarkable number.
The Zambian striker has been playing like a man possessed since his comeback, so it’s hardly surprising that European teams want to sign him away from Leicester. But since his contract still has more than two years left on it, the Foxes have every right to demand a large payment in exchange.
