Despite a setback on deadline day, Leicester City remains hopeful about securing Stefano Sensi’s signature in the near future.
The 28-year-old midfielder’s transfer from Inter Milan fell through after negotiations stumbled. Sensi had already arrived in the UK and completed a medical, signaling that a deal was nearly in place. This development came amid Enzo Maresca’s acknowledgment of the club’s need to balance the books before making any new additions.
Leicester City’s efforts to align with their financial strategy meant they couldn’t finalize terms with Inter. Nonetheless, there’s still a glimmer of hope for the Foxes to clinch Sensi’s services, as the possibility of announcing a deal lingers despite the January transfer window closing.
Given that Sensi is in the last six months of his contract with Inter, he’s free to enter into a pre-contract agreement with teams outside of Italy, a loophole Leicester City could exploit. This rule prevents players from negotiating with domestic clubs to avoid conflicts of interest, a restriction that Leicester does not face.
Securing Sensi on a pre-contract would mean the Foxes could potentially add him to their squad on a free transfer come summer. With limited playing time at Inter this season, Sensi is likely to be exploring his options for a fresh start.
The breakdown of this transfer is a setback for Maresca’s strategic plans, especially after the early return of Cesare Casadei to Chelsea and Wilfred Ndidi’s prolonged injury absence. Leicester’s midfield options are currently limited to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Yunus Akgun, and Dennis Praet for attacking roles, with Harry Winks and Hamza Choudhury in defensive positions. Additionally, Arjan Raikhy’s recent league debut adds a new but inexperienced option to the mix.
Leicester City’s midfield dynamics could significantly benefit from Sensi’s experience and skill, making the potential summer transfer a highly anticipated move for the club and its fans.