Everton plot move for Leicester City star - It would be a big blow for Marti Cifuentes if he leaves | OneFootball

According to reports, Everton are interested in a move for Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu

Leicester City could be poised to reluctantly accept yet another high-profile exit from the King Power Stadium ahead of September 1's transfer deadline, with Abdul Fatawu attracting the interest of Premier League outfit Everton.

As reported on Monday afternoon via X by journalist Alan Myers, the Foxes winger features on a list of targets at Everton as David Moyes continues to assess his options amid the impending loan capture of Manchester City star Jack Grealish.

Following relegation from the Premier League last season, it has been a quiet summer transfer window at Leicester. Indeed, veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic represents the club's only signing to date under new boss Marti Cifuentes, who has instead overseen a number of outgoings with the likes of Conor Coady, Mads Hermansen and Wilfred Ndidi all moving on in recent times.

Leicester's summer business has been restricted, with the club having to wait for player sales first. Cifuentes recently indicated that further departures remain a firm possibility, too, revealing "conversations" surrounding the futures of certain players.

Bilal El Khannouss, who starred in the Foxes' 2-1 opening weekend victory over Sheffield Wednesday by setting up both Jannik Vestegaard and Wout Faes to inspire a second-half comeback, is another big name to have been mooted for an exit from the East Midlands, having been linked with the likes of Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Newcastle and RB Leipzig amid a relegation release clause in his current contract.

It appears inevitable that the highly-rated playmaker will seek pastures new before the conclusion of this summer's window, though, and he could well be joined in doing so by Fatawu.

Everton's transfer interest in Leicester City star Abdul Fatawu

As per Myers' update, Fatawu's name features on a list of targets drawn up by Everton for the remainder of the current window.

This development comes after reports on Monday morning revealed that Everton decided to walk away from their pursuit of Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, having failed to agree on a fee with the teenage star.

Last week, meanwhile, a report from Sky Sports disclosed how Fatawu, alongside the aforementioned El Khannouss, is being courted by Premier League clubs, albeit with Leicester prepared to hold out for "big money" in order to part with the services of a prized asset who remains under contract until 2029.

The 21-year-old has now entered his third campaign as a Leicester player, having enjoyed a sensational season on loan with the Foxes from Sporting CP by registering six goals and 13 assists in the Championship to help the side to the title before seeing his stay made a permanent one following promotion.

Fatawu displayed promising signs in the early throes of Leicester's unsuccessful top-flight return, though his season was curtailed prematurely as he suffered a devastating ACL injury last November.

However, the 24-cap Ghana international looks back to his very best following an encouraging pre-season, which saw him earn wider recognition for a scintillating solo strike in his side's 2-0 friendly victory over Fiorentina, before enjoying an encouraging display against the Owls on Sunday afternoon.

Abdul Fatawu exit would be a huge blow for Leicester City

Although Fatawu missed the bulk of last season owing to his ACL injury, it remains little surprise that he has admirers in the top-flight.

Prior to that injury, the tricky winger showed that he's good enough for Premier League football and he was a cut above the Championship throughout Leicester's title-winning campaign two seasons ago, which means that, still aged just 21, there is a very good reason why the Foxes starlet is such a hot property at the minute.

His explosive pace, flair and creativity render him something of a "cheat-code" at Championship level, and retaining his signature would offer a serious boost to Cifuentes' side's ambitions of returning to the Premier League at the very first attempt.

Losing him, however, would mark an undoubted blow considering his tried-and-tested quality in the second-tier and ability to develop even further under a progressive coach like Cifuentes, who may have to instead call upon the likes of youthful pair Will Alves and Jeremy Monga in the event of a departure for Fatawu.