Leicester leading the race for Chile star Charles Aranguiz?
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New Leicester City tactician Claudio Ranieri could be on the verge of an important capture, with Chile international Charles Aranguiz linked to the club, as the Foxes continue to search for a midfield marshal to fill their Esteban Cambiasso-shaped hole in the squad.
The Midlands men, 3/1 with Coral for relegation, are in need of added dynamism down the spine of their side, and Ranieri has apparently identified the Internacional star as one of the missing pieces of his King Power Stadium puzzle.
Leicester have reportedly already lodged a £10.6m bid and are prepared to make energetic Aranguiz their club record signing. However, it is believed the 26-year-old would prefer a move to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen with French outfit Marseille, who boast former Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa, also ready to battle for his signature.
Aranguiz had previously been tipped to join Arsenal, and it may be wise for the box-to-box midfielder to leave Brazil while his stock is high, after he starred in Chile’s Copa America triumph on home soil.
Much like compatriot Arturo Vidal, who recently cemented a switch to German giants Bayern Munich, Aranguiz is able to contribute at both ends of the pitch and formed part of a tenacious deep-lying trio that shielded Chile’s backline, as well as springing attacks.
Defensively savvy, tactically sound and able to pick a pass, the talented midfield man would be a welcome addition to East Midlands club, who often lacked personality and passion in the middle of the park at points last season, and are now expected to struggle without the craft and cool of Cambiasso.
Aranguiz contributed an impressive two strikes and one assist as his country captured the Copa, following on from promising peformances at the 2014 World Cup, which catapulted the South American on to a bigger stage and the radars of top teams.
It seems the determined midfielder, who hit six and assisted three in 24 outings for Internacional in the 2014 term, will now finally arrive in England if the Foxes (10/3 for a top 10 finish) can convince the Chilean of their ambition.
Despite Leicester’s array of attacking additions over the past two terms, the potential snaring of this highly-rated and adaptable Chile conductor could prove one of their most important, as the Foxes seek to avoid the Premier League trap door for a second successive season.
