Dennis Praet, a midfielder for Leicester City, has stated that he is “ready for something new” and that, should he become a free agent this summer, he would prefer to go back to Italy.
The Belgian came from Sampodoria to play for the Foxes almost five years ago. Despite having won an FA Cup and a Community Shield with the team, he is expected to depart Leicester in the upcoming weeks following this protracted stay.
The club hasn’t yet made public their released/retained list for this season, so his departure isn’t official, but his recent remarks strongly imply that he will be leaving.
Praet has shared details about his experience at Leicester as well as his outlook for the future.
Dennis Praet discloses his desired free agent location.
When he departs Leicester, the 29-year-old wants to return to Serie A. Before moving to the King Power Stadium, where he cost City approximately £18 million, Praet played for three seasons with Sampodoria and one season on loan at Torino, according to Sky Sports.
In response to Nieuwsblad, the midfielder stated, “Yes, Italy will always be ahead.” “My best years overseas were spent playing for three years at Sampdoria and one year at Torino. I’m really drawn to the strategies used in Italy. I was impressed by my Italian coach this year, Maresca.
“I still have my Italian phone number, and the English players claim they have never studied so much. I’ve never altered it. I want to go back to Italy since that’s where I’ve always felt at ease.”
“They looked for me, but a return never happened,” he remarked in reference to a potential return to Torino. They didn’t think I could leave Leicester on the cheap because I was too good, too adaptable, and too useful. I’m not a dramatic or pushy person, but even right now, I would accept an offer from Torino.”
Despite not playing as often as he would have liked, Praet acknowledged that he has enjoyed his time with City and is grateful for the chance to pursue a career in England.
The 29-year-old continued, “I made the decision quickly because I really wanted to play in the Premier League.” “I also had some enjoyable times. The unpleasant thing is that all I wanted to do was play more.
“Now that my contract is about to expire, I feel like I’m ready for something new,” he concluded. Physically, I’m at the pinnacle of my profession at 29 years old. I want to feel significant once more and enjoy the game to the fullest once more.”
In the summer, Leicester needs to bolster their midfield.
A number of the Foxes’ summer roster losses will come from free agency; several of them are midfield players. In addition to Praet, two more midfield players whose contracts expire at the end of June are Wilfred Ndidi and Marc Albrighton.
There might be a lot of holes to fill in that position if you include in the risk of losing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has reportedly drawn interest from Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton & Hove Albion.
According to Dewsbury-Hall, he does not intend to leave the team this summer.
Although Leicester’s options for acquiring players this summer may be limited, they should concentrate on strengthening their midfield.
