Leicester City are reportedly planning to sign Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu but face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who are alleged to have already agreed personal terms with the defender.
The Foxes suffered a big blow earlier this month when Wesley Fofana broke his leg following a horrendous tackle from Fer Nino during the pre-season friendly with Villarreal, ruling the French defender out until 2022 as a result.
As Wesley Fofana’s replacement, Leicester City announced the signing of Denmark international Jannik Vestergaard from Southampton last week. But, according to Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport, the Midlands club want to add another central defender to their ranks and are considering making a move for Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, 22, has been plying his trade with Bologna since joining from Belgian club Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2019. In his two seasons with Bologna, he has made 63 appearances across all competitions, netting two goals. The 22-year-old defender, who recently represented Japan in the Olympics in his home country, is valued at around €20-€25 million.
Leicester City linked with Takehiro Tomiyasu—A good fit at the King Power Stadium?
Leicester City have failed to break into the top four in the last two seasons despite dishing out stellar displays for majority of both campaigns. This has purely happened due to a combination of unfortunate injuries to key players and a lack of squad depth.
Brendan Rodgers and co. have done well to secure the signature of Jannik Vestergaard as a replacement for long-term absentee Wesley Fofana. However, the Foxes still lack depth in the centre-back department.
Jonny Evans, into his thirties, has had injury problems of late and missed the FA Community Shield win over Manchester City. Due to Evans’ injury, Daniel Amartey, a defensive midfielder, had to fill in alongside Caglar Soyuncu at the back in Leicester City’s opening day victory over Midlands rivals Wolves at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Given the events of the recent past it is clear that Brendan Rodgers needs a bigger squad to compete on all fronts this season and signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna could help the Foxes to a great extent.
Tomiyasu is a versatile player equally adept in playing at both centre-back and right-back. The Japanese international is a strong, solid and tenacious defender with good passing ability and tackling skills. A smart reader of the game, he is capable of starting attacks from the back and doesn’t really get caught out of position.
The ex- Sint-Truiden man, of course, is still very much a work in progress at the young age of 22 but can certainly develop his game under the watchful guidance of Rodgers at the King Power Stadium.
Tomiyasu, who is a talented player with loads of potential, still has his best years ahead of him and Leicester City must do everything to beat Tottenham to his signature, as he is someone who could evolve into one of the Midlands club’s defensive mainstays in the years to come.
