Leicester City are considering a move for Steven Bergwijn, their arch-nemesis and former Tottenham striker.
The Dutchman was Jose Mourinho’s first signing at Tottenham when he joined from PSV Eindhoven for £27 million in 2020 and spent 18 months at the north London club, scoring eight goals in 83 appearances before returning to the Eredivisie.
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According to Dutch broadcaster De Telegraaf, Leicester City wants to sign the attacker for around £17 million.
The report claims the Foxes are “ready to make an official offer”, but the Premier League newcomer will back out if Ajax demands a transfer fee that is deemed unrealistic.
Bergwijn has been less than productive during his time in the Premier League, but Leicester are aware of the threat he poses in front of goal.
The 26-year-old was the scourge of the King Power Stadium during an unforgettable game in January 2022.
Leicester were leading 2-1 in the fifth minute of added time and were close to securing the three points when substitute Bergwijn turned the game on its head.
There was an inexplicable surrender by the Foxes thanks to the Dutchman, who scored from close range to secure what he and many others believed to be part of the spoils.
Bergwijn, however, saw things differently and after intercepting a pass from Harry Kane, he fired the ball against the post, giving Antonio Conte’s team an unexpected three points.
It is assumed that Leicester will still be haunted by this evening, as they have repeatedly let the advantage slip away in recent games.
The Foxes hope that a Bergwijn transfer will end the horror of 2022 while also increasing their own chances of remaining in the Premier League.
Leicester boss Steve Cooper admits the club is doing everything it can to bring fresh faces into the seemingly weak squad.
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Their problems are evident in attack, where the out-of-form Patson Daka and 37-year-old Jamie Vardy are tasked with leading the line.
Vardy, whose contract was extended by a year this summer, has suffered from muscle injuries over the past three seasons and it would not be sensible to rely on the 2016 Premier League title winner.
Bergwijn would offer Leicester a different attacking option than a player looking to prove something in English football.
He scored 13 goals in 31 games last season for the struggling Ajax team, which was at times bottom of the Eredivisie table and played in two of the Netherlands’ games at the 2024 European Championship.