Lazio's transfer stance on Leicester City target | OneFootball

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, the Serie A side are willing to cash in on the Greek underage international this summer.

The Foxes are planning for life back in the Premier League, and have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old.

Enzo Maresca will be looking to build a team capable of surviving in the top flight beyond just one campaign.

The Italian has turned his attention to adding competition to Mads Harmansen’s position as first-choice goalkeeper with the targeting of the Lazio shot-stopper.

Leicester’s Christos Mandas pursuit

Mandas signed for the capital city club last summer, making the switch from Greek side OFI Crete.

Since joining Lazio, he has made nine appearances in the Italian top flight, including eight starts (all stats from Fbref).

The youngster found himself as the second-choice goalkeeper for much of the season, but an injury to Ivan Provedel offered him an opportunity to step up into the starting lineup.

Mandas conceded six goals and kept four clean sheets in his time in the team, with the team set to qualify for Europe for the next term.

Lazio have set an asking price of €15 (£12.78) million for the goalkeeper amid interest from Leicester, with Manchester City also scouting the player.

The Italian club is open to offers in that region, otherwise they will open talks over a new contract for Mandas.

It is understood that Lazio would like to keep the player, and are willing to reward his performances in Serie A with an extension on his current deal.

However, they are willing to listen to bids as they see this as an opportunity to raise funds ahead of their summer transfer plans.

It remains to be seen whether Leicester would be willing to pay nearly £13 million to bring the shot-stopper to the King Power Stadium for next season.

Leicester’s promotion success

Maresca guided Leicester to promotion success this campaign, with the club also winning the Championship title on the way.

A points tally of 97 was enough to finish ahead of second place Ipswich Town, with third place Leeds United a further six points back.

Leicester are at risk of a potential points penalty in the future amid alleged financial breaches, but this will not impact the team’s promotion.

However, it could mean that the Foxes start life back in the top flight with a minus points tally, if found guilty by an independent commission.

Mandas signing would be unusual for Leicester

Given the financial situation at Leicester at the moment, the club really needs to pick and choose where they want to spend their money very carefully.

Signing a new goalkeeper doesn’t seem like the smartest use of their potential transfer budget as Harmansen performed well enough to keep his position in the starting lineup.

A fee close to £13 million would be a lot to pay for someone who could end up being second choice next season.

While the Greek could be a smart long-term signing, the timing might just not be right for Leicester to pursue that move this summer.