Leicester City have reinvigorated their long-standing interest in UC Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet, who has two more years left on his contract at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
According to a report from Leicestershire Live, the Foxes have offered double his current wages to lure him to the King Power Stadium, and away from the grasp of AC Milan.
The Premier League club are yet to propose an offer for the midfielder, however.
The right-footed midfielder, who attracted interest from many clubs all across Europe, managed 2 goals and 3 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions last season.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of signing the Praet.
PROS
The Sampdoria man is a versatile player who primarily features as a central midfielder and possesses the ability to play on the left-wing or in an attacking midfielder role.
Praet is technically astute and has a good range of passing, which makes the 25-year old a good player to have in the midfield set-up.
He averaged a pass success of 87.3% with 1.1 key passes, 0.8 crosses and 1.3 long balls per game across all competitions last season.
The box to box midfielder stands in at 5ft 9in tall and uses his physicality and body strength pretty well.
Although his strengths are going forward, the former Anderlecht man is no slouch when it comes to defending.
Praet managed 1.9 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 0.8 clearances per 90 minutes, which highlights his work ethic.
Another key aspect of the Belgian’s play is his off the ball movement, which has seen him receive more praise than his ball-playing abilities that are considered as his prime attributes.
The 25-year old would do well in Brendan Rodgers’ setup as it needs fluent midfielders like Praet to work.
CONS
There aren’t many downsides to the Sampdoria midfielder’s style of play, but his finishing as a number 8 can improve.
He isn’t the most clinical in the final third of the pitch, and managed only a single shot per game across all competitions last season.
It also remains to be seen if Praet can cut it in the Premier League where the pace of the game is much quicker, and players are also more physical.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also rejected the midfielder, who has spent most of his career in the Jupiler Pro League.
Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt, Whoscored