Leicester City fans are counting down the days to the January transfer window, with just a week remaining before clubs can start wheeling and dealing. For the Foxes, the winter window brings both a sense of anticipation and a dash of nostalgia, as the club reflects on the tenth anniversary of their miraculous Premier League title win in 2015-2016. The echoes of that historic triumph still ring loud, but now, the focus is firmly on what’s next for Marti Cifuentes and his squad as they look to strengthen for the challenges ahead.
Let’s face it: goals have been in short supply for Leicester this season. The centre-forward position has been a revolving door, but none have truly staked their claim as the reliable threat up top. That’s why the club’s top priority for the upcoming window is clear—sign a striker who can make a difference. And the name on everyone’s lips? Michail Antonio. The former West Ham forward, who hasn’t played a senior club match in over a year, is reportedly close to a deal with Leicester. Cifuentes has spoken optimistically about Antonio’s fitness, hinting that the veteran could be exactly what the Foxes need to ignite their attack.
But what if the Antonio deal falls through? Leicester won’t be caught flat-footed. The club is expected to scour the market for free agents and loanees, much like they did in the summer. It’s a pragmatic approach, especially with financial constraints and the unpredictable nature of the January market. One thing’s for certain: the Foxes are determined to add firepower, no matter what twists and turns the window brings.
Of course, arrivals might depend on who heads for the exit. Wout Faes is one player whose future appears uncertain. With Belgium manager Rudi Garcia unwilling to consider players outside a top division for his World Cup squad, Faes is actively seeking a new club. If he does depart, Leicester would be left with just three senior centre-backs, plus Bade Aluko as cover. With Harry Souttar currently not in training, the depth at the back could be tested if Faes moves on.
Midfield is another area where changes could be afoot. Harry Winks, recently absent from the squad, looks likely to leave. He’s not alone—Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumare are also in the final six months of their contracts. The club may look to cash in if offers come their way, aiming for a small financial boost. Should Winks depart, Leicester are reportedly eyeing competition for Oliver Skipp at the base of midfield. Sunderland’s Dan Neil, who captained the Black Cats to promotion last season but has since fallen out of favor, is seen as an ideal loan target to bolster the squad.
Questions also linger over the full-back positions. Victor Kristiansen is sidelined after knee surgery, leaving Luke Thomas as the only recognized left-back with a clear shot at the starting spot. With Ricardo Pereira occasionally needing rest and Aluko likely to be used sparingly, depth is a concern. While a left-back signing isn’t guaranteed, a loan deal could provide valuable reinforcement and improve the starting lineup.
But it’s not just about who might come in—there’s also the risk of losing key talent. Winger Abdul Fatawu has been a revelation this season, racking up 10 goals and assists in 22 Championship matches and starting every game. His explosive form has erased any doubts about his recovery from a previous ACL injury. Sunderland reportedly bid £28 million for Fatawu in the summer, and it’s no surprise that other clubs are circling. The big question for Leicester: is there a price at which they’d be willing to sell, or is Fatawu simply too important to the club’s ambitions this season?
As the Foxes navigate the present, memories of their past glory provide both inspiration and perspective. It’s been a decade since Leicester stunned the football world by winning the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri. The odds? A staggering 5000-1. At Christmas 2015, the Foxes were top of the table, defying every pundit and bookmaker in the land. Alan Shearer famously predicted they’d falter, saying, “For the first time the dynamics have changed. Everyone expected them to blow up but not many people do now—they are now favourites to win the league and they've never been in that position before.”
Ian Wright, however, saw something special brewing at the King Power Stadium and was proven right as Leicester claimed the crown. Ranieri himself was considered a favorite for the sack when he arrived, yet he remained focused and humble, insisting, “I do not trust the bookmakers. At the start of the season they were saying it was Ranieri for the sack.” Ever the master of mind games, Ranieri tried to shift the spotlight, claiming, “Tottenham, in my opinion, are favourites. When they defend and when they attack, they know what they want. We are the surprise, that is fantastic, a good energy, but if we are realistic, the real competitors are Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.”
Club icon Gary Lineker even promised to present the first Match of the Day of the following season in his underwear if Leicester triumphed—a pledge he honored with memorable Leicester-themed boxers. For rival managers, the Foxes’ achievement sparked introspection. Arsene Wenger admitted to “regret and guilt” over Arsenal’s collapse, but conceded, “When you lose only three games in a season in a difficult league like that, you are a fantastic champion.”
The title run was full of drama, from Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard openly supporting Leicester (to the ire of Graham Roberts) to the emergence of N’Golo Kante, hailed by Thierry Henry as “the best signing in the Premier League that season.” Jamie Vardy broke records with 24 league goals, including scoring in 11 consecutive games, though Michael Owen controversially called him “not a natural finisher.” Vardy would go on to score 200 goals for Leicester before moving to Cremonese in Italy.
Riyad Mahrez dazzled with 17 goals and 10 assists, finishing seventh in the Ballon d’Or voting, ahead of some of football’s biggest names. Even Gokhan Inler, signed as a midfield reinforcement, drew lofty comparisons from Ranieri, who said, “If we start to build maybe in three or four years a lot of players will want to come to Leicester. Why not?”
Now, as Leicester City prepares for another pivotal transfer window, the spirit of 2016 lingers. The club faces tough decisions—balancing potential arrivals and departures, weighing up financial realities, and holding onto the belief that another magical chapter could be just around the corner. With the window set to open in a week, all eyes are on the Foxes to see which way the winds of change will blow.
