Leicester City ready to cash in as trio of clubs circle '£13m striker'
Tom Cannon is reported to be at the centre of a £13m transfer battle between two clubs - and with a third also reckoned to be interested in a deal for the Leicester City player.
Cannon, 22, had been on loan at Stoke City until Tuesday, where his haul of 11 goals brought him to the attention of other Championship clubs aiming to make a promotion push in the second half of the season.
However, his stay at the bet365 Stadium was cut short by the Foxes as interest elsewhere emerged - and now it is reported that both Sheffield United and Sunderland are ready to pay at least £13m for the Republic of Ireland international.
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Transfer expert Alan Nixon has been on top of developments around Cannon since the January transfer window opened, and in his latest Patreon post claims: “ Leicester are set to accept both offers and allow the player to discuss the move with the two clubs.
"The deal is now full time and not a loan to buy after a remarkable day of haggling. The Blades will offer Cannon a lucrative contract and their salary may be higher than what Sunderland will pay.”
With Burnley also said to be interested in taking Cannon - they are reported to have submitted a £10m bid - Leicester will be delighted at the prospect of making a good return on the £6m they are believed to have paid Everton for him in the summer of 2023. In fact, the Toffees have also been credited with an interest in their former player.
Injury wrecked Cannon's first season at the King Power Stadium, when the Foxes stormed to the Championship title under Enzo Maresca. And with little prospect of making an impact with the Foxes on their return to the Premier League, both player and club opted to make the loan move to Stoke, which was so dramatically cut short this week.
Although Leicester learned this week they have complied with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules for the latest accounting period, they remain in need to cash as Ruud van Nistelrooy looks to reinforce his struggling team in a bid to avoid a quick return to the second tier.
Stoke, beset by player spending concerns, were never in a position to buy the player themselves this month. The club announced that Cannon had been recalled yesterday, and the Republic of Ireland international later took to social media to send a message to the Potters' heartbroken supporters.
He posted on Instagram: “I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Stoke City for my time at the club. I loved playing in front of you fans and I wish the club nothing but the best for the future.”
