Player ‘left out of squad’ as transfer talks held with Wolves and Leicester City

Jonathan Ikone is reportedly in talks with Wolves and Leicester.Jonathan Ikone is reportedly in talks with Wolves and Leicester.
Jonathan Ikone is reportedly in talks with Wolves and Leicester. | Getty Images
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City are battling to sign the same winger before next Friday’s transfer deadline.

Wolves are reportedly narrowly in front of Leicester in the race to acquire the services of Fiorentina attacker Jonathan Ikone, who was left out of La Viola’s squad to face Venezia over the weekend.

Both Premier League teams are eager to improve depth and quality in the wide attacking areas and have turned to Ikone. The 26-year-old scored five goals and made three assists in 43 appearances across all competitions last season, with many showings as a substitute.

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Reputable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports Fiorentina are looking to sell Ikone before the end of the summer window. It’s stated the winger was excluded from the weekend’s matchday squad down to ongoing transfer talks, not an injury.

Ikone is said to be in contact with both Wolves and Leicester ahead of a potential transfer to the Premier League, with Wanderers “slightly ahead”. The former France international could be available for a cut-price fee as his contract expires in just under two years.

Jonathan Ikone is reportedly in talks with Wolves and Leicester.Jonathan Ikone is reportedly in talks with Wolves and Leicester.
Jonathan Ikone is reportedly in talks with Wolves and Leicester. | Getty Images

An academy product of Paris Saint-Germain, Ikone’s most successful spell was in his home nation. The forward rarely played for PSG but shone for LOSC Lille, whom he made his first permanent transfer to back in 2018.

A century and a half of appearances for Lille delivered a respectable 16 goals and 27 assists, including several in either the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League. Ikone’s efficiency in front of goal dropped when he moved to Italy, though his main strength is taking on defenders rather than striking the back of the net.

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