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    Arsenal transfer target Orkun Kokcu has asking price slashed to £10m with Leicester & Leeds also keen on Feyenoord star

    ARSENAL target Orkun Kokcu has reportedly caught the eye of Leicester and Leeds after having his transfer fee cut to £10million.The Gunners had been linked with a £23m move for the Feyenoord midfielder this summer.
    Leeds and Leicester have entered the race for Feyenoord star Orkun Kokcu (left)Credit: Getty
    But according to Spanish newspaper La Razon, Kokcu has now had his price cut by more than half – and in doing so drawn the eyes of two more Premier League clubs.
    Both Leicester and Leeds are said to be in for the 20-year-old international, who received his first cap for Turkey in September.
    Sevilla are also looking at the youngster, whose contract does not expire with Feyenoord until 2025.
    However, the Dutch side are open to letting him go for the right price as they look to address their financial problems.
    Speaking recently about his future, Kokcu said: “I have a contract until 2025 but the situation has changed.
    “The club has been very clear about the financial situation and it is clear that it is not good.
    “So if a club comes with a good proposal for me and the entity can enter a good amount, I imagine that it will be listened to.”
    Kokcu broke through into Feyenoord’s first team in 2018 and has been an integral part of their side ever since.
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    He has already racked up 49 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and assisting eight more.
    Kokcu has featured in central areas in both a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 set-up this season, pushing into an advanced position in the latter formation.
    Meanwhile, Arsenal now have an array of attacking options in the middle of the park including the likes of Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Willian.
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    Arsenal transfer blow as Leicester ‘close in on £15m Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard to succeed Jamie Vardy’

    LEICESTER are close to beating Arsenal to Celtic star Odsonne Edouard ahead of the summer transfer window, reports suggest.
    According to MailOnline, The Foxes see Edouard as a long-term replacement for legendary centre-forward Jamie Vardy.

    Celtic star Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a move to Leicester and ArsenalCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

    The star striker appears keen on reuniting with Brendan Rodgers, his former manager at Celtic Park, and a £15million deal is said to be close to being completed.
    Leicester boss Rodgers brought the Frenchman to Celtic in 2017 from Paris Saint-Germain, initially on loan.
    The 23-year-old has been in sparkling form ever since having amassed a total of 81 goals in 160 appearances.
    Edouard continues to impress throughout this season as he has registered 20 goals in 32 matches across all competitions.

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    Arsenal have also made an enquiry to sign the France under-21s international in the summer.
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is looking for new options up front with Alexandre Lacazette likely to depart at the end of the season.
    Edouard’s Celtic contract runs out in 2022 and that, along with a sell-on fee of 40 per cent owed to PSG, has led to a reduction on his release clause.

    The Hoops initially rated the centre-forward at around £40m but had to cut that down.
    Roma are also said to be courting Edouard along with Arsenal and other clubs.
    But if the latest reports are accurate, it seems like the Frenchman is on his way to King Power Stadium.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Odsonne Edouard shows off his skills in training with Celtic More

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    Leicester ‘consider move for Newcastle flop Florian Thauvin in free transfer from Marseille with doubts over Under’

    LEICESTER CITY are reportedly considering a free transfer swoop for Florian Thauvin.
    The French winger, 28, has seven goals and seven assists in Ligue 1 this season.

    Leicester City are considering a move for Florian Thauvin, according to reportsCredit: AFP or licensors

    But with his contract at Marseille expiring at the end of the season, he would be available for nothing in the summer.
    And according to Eurosport, the Foxes are looking at Thauvin as an alternative to Cengiz Under.
    Under, 23, is on loan at the King Power from Roma this season and the club have an option to make the switch permanent for around £22million.
    But it is thought the East Midlands club are unconvinced just yet whether to trigger that clause.

    Under has two goals and three assists in all competitions this season.
    Neither of those strikes came in the Premier League, in which he has played just 235 minutes.
    Thauvin made his name at Marseille, spending two years at the French giants before signing for Newcastle.
    But his return of no goals in 13 league games in the first half of the 2015-16 season saw him return back to Marseille on loan for a year and a half.

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    Since re-signing for Les Phoceens, Thauvin has racked up 50 goals in 118 appearances for the club.
    He was part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018, featuring for one minute in the tournament as a late sub against Argentina.
    But with the troubles at Marseille, which saw fans storm and start fires at the training ground and Andre Villas-Boas quit, it may be time for Thauvin to leave.
    A move to Leicester would see him reunited with former Magpies team-mate Ayoze Perez, who joined the Foxes in 2019 and has ten goals in 62 appearances.

    Thauvin struggled at Newcastle but was part of the French squad that won the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Thauvin would be a cheaper option than making Cengiz Under’s loan switch permanent for £22mCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

    Former Newcastle star Florian Thauvin scores scintillating goal for Marseille in Ligue 1 More

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    Leicester confirm Cengiz Under loan transfer after teasing fans with hilarious Undertaker tweet

    LEICESTER CITY have completed the loan signing of Roma winger Cengiz Under – after teasing fans with a hilarious tweet.
    The Foxes shared a picture of a hat and leather jacket made famous by WWE legend The Undertaker on the King Power pitch… just 30 minutes before announcing they had taken Under for the 2020-21 season.

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    Leicester City have signed Cengiz Under on loan for the season from Roma

    They also added the umlaut – the double dots – over the letter “u” in their Twitter bio for good measure to emulate the 23-year-old’s surname.
    It is understood the East Midlands outfit have the option to make the transfer permanent next summer.
    The star has spent the last three seasons in Serie A and will join up with his new team-mates ahead of tonight’s clash against Burnley.

    Under already knows one familiar Foxes face as he is a team-mate and the “best friend” of Caglar Soyuncu.
    The pair are international pals for for Turkey, with Under making his debut four years ago and earning 21 caps.
    Speaking to LCFC.com, Under said: “I can’t wait to go to Leicester and start training.
    “I’ve always wanted to play in England and this is a great opportunity to play in the Premier League.

    “I will try to help my team-mates on the pitch and off the pitch and I believe that I can improve my performance every day. I think I am fast and can create lots of chances for my colleagues.

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    The Turkish international is best friends with Foxes defender Caglar SoyuncuCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Wrestling hero The Undertaken made the hat and leather jacket combination iconic and led to the brilliant tweetCredit: Handout

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    “I feel very good because my best friend plays for Leicester City.
    “I am very happy to be able to play with Caglar and I always watched Leicester’s games because of him.”
    Under joined Italian giants Roma from Istanbul Basaksehir in 2017 and became the youngest Turkish player to score in the Champions League when he made his debut in February 2018.
    Like Soyuncu, he is a product of the Altinordu youth system and progressed to their first team before earning his Basaksehir move.
    A year later, though, he was snapped up by Roma and has scored 17 goals in 88 appearances, reportedly attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
    And Brendan Rodgers will be desperate his new signing – who follows Timothy Castagne through the door at the King Power this summer – hits the ground running.

    Under took to Twitter to show his appreciation to both Roma and Leicester

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    Leicester had some fun on their Twitter account on Sunday morning

    – 88 Roma apps- 17 Goals- 12 AssistsTurkey winger Cengiz Ünder joins Leicester City on a season-long loan from the Serie A club 🦊 pic.twitter.com/i2iXNXwCXi
    — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 20, 2020

    The right-wing area was somewhere the Foxes needed to strengthen and Under is expected to replace Ayoze Perez out wide.
    Under also took to Twitter to thank both his parent club for the opportunity to advance his career as well as Leicester ahead of his new venture.
    He wrote: “Three years ago, when I walked into this door, I came to show a great challenge.
    “During my time here, I loved not only AS Roma, but also the city of Rome, the culture, the people of this wonderful city.
    “I’m sincerely thankful to all of fans for the love and support that shared with me since my first moment here.
    “After our unique time together, I have a new challenge ahead of me.
    “Thanks to Brendan Rodgers, all the staff and management, for trusting me in this new chapter. I can’t wait to reflect my passion to the field.”

    Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu looks back to playing at his first club in Turkey More

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    Cengiz Under closing in on Leicester loan transfer with Roma agreement reached with obligation to buy

    LEICESTER have reportedly reached an agreement with Roma to sign Cengiz Under on loan with an obligation to buy for £24.6million.
    SunSport reported last weekend how the Foxes were keen to bring the Turkish international, 23, to the King Power Stadium.

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    Roma winger Cengiz Under is reportedly set to link up with LeicesterCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with the winger this window, but it is Brendan Rodgers’s side who are in pole position to land him.

    Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated how Leicester have stepped up their pursuit of Under after having a bid rejected by Barcelona for Francisco Trincao.
    He tweeted: “Leicester are close to sign Cengiz Under from AS Roma!

    “The agreement is going to be reached on loan with obligation to buy.
    “After having an official bid refused by Barcelona for Trincao, #LCFC are now working to sign Under.”
    Writing for the Guardian, Romano then claimed that Leicester will permanently sign the forward for £24.6m.
    He stated that the Foxes are ready to hand him him a deal until 2025, with personal terms not believed to be an issue.

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    It has even been said that Under should become a Leicester player in the coming week.
    Roma are willing to let him leave as he has failed to nail down a regular starting spot in Italy.
    Under has spent the last three seasons in Rome where he has scored 17 times in 88 games.

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    Leicester snap-up Timothy Castagne in £21.5m transfer from Atalanta as Ben Chilwell replacement on five-year deal

    LEICESTER have reportedly completed the signing of Atalanta defender Timothy Castagne for £21.5million.
    Although primarily a right-back, the 24-year-old can also play on the left side and could be the replacement for Ben Chilwell.

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    Atalanta defender Timothy Castagne has reportedly joined Leicester for £21.5millionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The England star joined Chelsea for £50m earlier last week.
    Castagne is the Foxes first signing of the summer, with the Belgian agreeing a five-year deal at the King Power, according to journalist Kristoff Terreur.
    Tottenham were linked with Castagne earlier this season, but their interest has cooled after signing Matt Doherty from Wolves.

    Castagne featured 33 times for Atalanta in Serie A last season, scoring three times. He has also played seven times for Belgium.

    And Castagne’s signing could lead to a flood of new faces coming through Leicester’s door.
    SunSport excluisvely revealed how boss Brendan Rodgers is keen on another link-up with Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.
    Rodgers splashed out £9m to sign Edouard for Celts in 2018 and remains an admirer.
    A Foxes scout was at Tannadice to watch the Hoops against Dundee United on Saturday.

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    Everton and Leeds spies were also in attendance, but there is widespread interest in Edouard.
    Aston Villa, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are all in the hunt.
    And the former PSG kid’s head could be turned by the prospect of a massive wage increase in the world’s biggest league.
    And there are reports in France that Leicester officials have begun talks for Monaco defender Fode Ballo-Toure.
    The 23-year-old is also a left-back and is believed to be on Manchester United’s radar too.

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    Man Utd transfer blow as target James Maddison signs bumper contract extension at Leicester

    JAMES MADDISON has signed a bumper new contract at Leicester to put to bed any rumours of a Manchester United transfer.
    The England playmaker, 23, finally put pen to paper on the deal which ties him down at the King Power until 2024.

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    James Maddison has penned a new four-year deal at Leicester CityCredit: Reuters

    And that will come as a hammer blow to any remaining hopes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had of signing the former Coventry and Norwich star.
    Speaking to LCFC.com, Maddison said: “I’m so happy to sign a new contract for this football club.
    “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a Leicester City player with so many positive things happening on and off the pitch and I’m delighted to be part of that.
    “What we’ve achieved as a club this season is a huge step forward for us and I know there’s so much more to come from this team.

    “I’ve enjoyed every moment since joining Leicester City.
    “The supporters have been incredible to me and we’ve a fantastic set of players in that dressing room who are determined to show what we’re capable of doing together in both Europe and the Premier League next season.”
    As revealed by SunSport, Maddison agreed the new deal worth around £95,000 per week last month.
    But with the Foxes on their short summer break, it is likely they waited until the players returned for pre-season to officially confirm the extension.

    He even installed a rooftop bar on his Leicestershire home as he prepares to stick around for the next few years.
    The England international, who made his senior Three Lions debut last November, has made 76 appearances for City, scoring 16 goals.

    He was named the club’s Young Player of the Season for the 2018-19 campaign but missed the final part of last season through injury as the Foxes blew their chances of Champions League qualification.
    Earlier on Monday, fellow midfielder Nampalys Mendy also signed a new deal.
    The Frenchman, who signed in 2016, was out of contract at the end of the season but has agreed a three-year extension as Brendan Rodgers looks to keep a bolstered squad to compete in Europe next season.

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    Maddison made his England debut last November but missed the end of the season through injuryCredit: PA:Press Association

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    Leicester ‘make Francisco Trincao transfer offer to Barcelona with two-year loan deal and then £45m obligation to buy’

    LEICESTER have reportedly made an audacious offer to bring Barcelona forward Francisco Trincao to the King Power Stadium.
    The 20-year-old is yet to even link up with the Spanish side after they signed him in January, but allowed him to stay at Braga for the rest of the season.

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    Barcelona forward Francisco Trincao is reportedly being chased by LeicesterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Trincao penned a five-year deal at Barca, but he could be set to leave without even playing a game as the Foxes look to secure his services.
    SunSport reported earlier this week how the LaLiga giants have rejected an offer from an unnamed Premier League club for the winger.
    And according to the Guardian, it is Brendan Rodgers’ side that are desperate to land him.
    They state that the Foxes have submitted a two-year loan offer for the player, with an obligation to buy him for £45million.

    That would be a healthy £19m profit for Barca who managed to sign him for £26m just over six months ago.
    Barca are said to have been heavily affected by the coronavirus crisis, and need to get a number of players off their wage bill.
    The Guardian state that Leicester face competition in the race to lure Trincao away from Catalonia.

    It has been claimed that Serie A side Atalanta are also keen to sign him, with the youngster regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents.

    Unlike Leicester, Atalanta can offer Trincao Champions League football after they finished third in the Italian top-flight table.
    In 40 games in all appearances this campaign, Trincao chipped in with nine goals and 13 assists – helping Braga win the Taca da Liga.

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