Leicester in pole position to sign 24-year-old Championship player | OneFootball

Leicester City are leading the race to sign Stoke City centre back Harry Souttar, a report from The Daily Record’s Transfer Blog (07/01, 18:10) has claimed.

Souttar only returned from a year out with a knee injury in November, and had made just a handful of appearances for the Potters before heading to Qatar for the World Cup with Australia.

Even so, the 24-year-old enjoyed a standout tournament in helping the Socceroos reach the Round of 16, after which his international boss, Graham Arnold, urged Premier League clubs to sign the centre back.

Now it seems as though a number of them are trying to do exactly that, with this latest update claiming that Leicester are leading the race to sign Souttar.

It is thought the Foxes have watched Souttar in his last three outings for Stoke, and as such are ahead of fellow Premier League sides West Ham and Wolves in the race for his services.

Which club did Stoke sign these 22 players from?

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Sam Surridge

AFC Bournemouth Southampton Nottingham Forest Everton

There are still two-and-a-half years remaining on Souttar’s with the Potters, securing his future at Stoke until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Verdict

This could be a very useful signing for Leicester if they manage to make it happen.

Souttar’s performances at the World Cup showed that he can play at the very highest level, more than holding his own against some high quality opposition.

As a result, he could be a useful asset in a Leicester defence that does seem to need strengthening right now, and this could be a coup for them with that interest from elsewhere.

By contrast, it would be a major blow for Stoke to lose someone with Souttar’s influence, although his contract situation and the amount of competition there is for his signature, means they could demand a big fee for him.