Leicester City get second chance to hijack West Ham transfer but must act this summer
Leicester City could yet sign their sister club’s star midfielder but will have to act this summer to avoid missing out.
City were linked with OH Leuven’s 19-year-old Ezechiel Banzuzi in December with the Dutch youth international making great strides in the Belgian top flight. But by the time January came around, restrictions around Profit and Sustainability Rules, and the club’s need for players in other positions, meant they did not pursue him.
And it looked like they’d missed their chance. Twice it was reported that Banzuzi was set to leave, first to Monaco and then to West Ham. With the Hammers, there were even reports of a done deal at £10m with £3m in add-ons.
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It was of disappointment to City supporters to see a Premier League rival beat them to a signing from their own sister club, but they may now have their chance. Because despite consistent rumours, Banzuzi stayed at Leuven.
This summer, however, the 19-year-old will be sold. That’s now been confirmed by Leuven’s technical director Gyorgy Csepregi, who believes he’s too good for the Belgian Pro League.
“We agreed with Eze that he will finish the season,” Csepregi said. “In the summer we will definitely give him the next step. He has completely outgrown the competition, right? He plays on one leg.”
He’s also called for Banzuzi to refocus ahead of the remainder of the season, with Leuven currently one point and one place outside the relegation play-offs. The midfielder was sent off in a crunch clash with Mechelen at the end of last month, and Csepregi felt it was good for Banzuzi to have time out with a suspension.
“I don’t talk to him about transfers and money, only with his brothers and agent,” the technical director added. “But it’s logical that a 19-year-old boy who gets interest from clubs in La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Premier League, isn’t fully focused for a while. You saw that in the matches.
“But I would have that too. I can’t blame him and maybe it’s even a good thing now that he’s suspended. That way we can give him some space this week, to make the switch next week.
“He has to do that to be able to make his transfer in the summer and not miss the U21 European Championship. So from next week the focus has to be back on OHL.”
From July onwards, City’s PSR troubles should ease, and they could come back into contention for Banzuzi’s signature. It’s not likely that he will move before then, as his focus in the summer will be on representing the Netherlands at the Under-21 Euros.
Banzuzi looks to be the type of midfielder that Ruud van Nistelrooy likes. He’s got an excellent physical profile, standing at 6ft 3in but quick too, while he carries the ball forward really well too. He has two goals and five assists in all competitions this season.
