Steve Cooper will still look to strengthen his Leicester City ranks in the summer transfer window, aware that Jamie Vardy should not be the first choice for a Premier League return at the age of 37. Still, Vardy failed to show any visible Championship cobwebs last season en route to the Foxes lifting the League Two title – netting 18 times in 35 league appearances in which he was present – but during Leicester’s relegation campaign scored just three goals. . With Kelechi Iheanacho no longer at the King Power Stadium, alongside rumors that Thomas Cannon will be allowed to leave on loan, it’s no shock to see Jordan Ayew linked with a bigger move to the East Midlands to bolster this rarefied venue.
That said, Leicester can still be a fearsome option in attack as they move up the division, even without a central point presence as their only centre-forward, thanks to Stephy Mavididi’s trickery from the wings. Stephy Mavididi’s time at Leicester Once a brilliant prospect who rose through the ranks at Arsenal, Mavididi is now on the King Power roster, having played across Europe in Italy and France before returning to England in 2023.
The former Juventus winger’s move to Leicester proved to be a genius move from the powerhouse at the newly promoted club, as his 12 goals in league action last campaign helped his side comfortably finish the season as League Two champions. He would also become a creative force for Enzo Maresca’s men with six assists registered alongside 11 big chances created for the likes of Vardy to fire home.
The smart 26-year-old, who was once described as a “nightmare” by one of his former Arsenal youth team coaches, Steve Leonard, will rarely look to continue next season as he hopes to fool Premier League defenders who are heading to his side and he is thriving in the elite division rather than suffering immediate relegation. Paying £6.4m for Mavididi’s services before a ball was kicked last season more than paid off, with the Foxes striker’s value only increasing since joining, given his Championship exploits, according to Football Transfers.
According to the website, he is worth even more than Ayew, with Mavididi also offering some solution to Leicester’s attacking woes if needed, having played as a centre-forward earlier in his career. Mavididi’s value in 2024 According to Football Transfers, Leicester’s exciting number ten is currently valued at £12.8m, compared to the Palace striker’s lower price of £8m.
Leicester would undoubtedly be better off exploring the possibility of releasing Mavididi as an attacking option from time to time this coming season, especially when you consider his promising numbers in that position alongside Ayews.
The former Montpellier man isn’t a million miles away from rivaling Ayew’s numbers when you compare their results side-by-side as centre-forwards, but Cooper wants Mavididi to wreak havoc down the left flank, with other attacking targets likely away from the man rated £8m above.
Ayew could just give the newly promoted side some much-needed depth away from the main option as the new Leicester manager sets about putting together a squad he believes can stay in the top flight. If Mavididi has another scoring season, especially after making the step up to the Premier League, his value could soar even higher and Leicester could earn a penny or two playing for Arsenal’s former youth club.