Russell Martin must soon decide on signing a new top forward. This position was previously filled by Jamie Vardy for many years. Different managers spent heavily on wages and transfer fees for backup players, not really having any proper plan for those fringe men being brought in.
This time the job is to find that first choice top striker that can fill the gap after JV9. Jamie Vardy returned to Leicester earlier in the summer to do some fitness work, but he never trained with the first team squad, but would have been an ideal one year solution to solve this major task of playing up front in this very special and important season.
Kirsten Otchere and Nathan Opoku are the two players who have taken on this role during pre-season games. Scoring three goals each in five games is a decent achievement, but it’s unclear if they can maintain this over a full season. 24 year old, Nathan Opoku has a bit of experience, playing in the Belgian top flight with OH Leuven and in Leauge Two with Newport. At just 19, Kirsten Otchere shows great potential, but he needs to be given chances to learn and make the most of every minute he plays this season.
If you look in the past during the days of JV9, Leicester has also had other alternative strikers, who have done great after leaving Leicester. Chris Wood is one example, another is George Hirst. Not to forget Andrej Kramaric all having challenges to compete with Jamie Vardy. Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka both struggled to make the correct impact, but none of them able to take the role.
Back in May, we thought Leicester needed a top striker, suggesting Tobias Lauritsen as a good option. The former Sparta Rotterdam forward was recently signed by Sampdoria. We also recommended a versatile player, who could play up front and out wide, preferably a loan signing, to serve as backup. Our choice was Reigan Heskey from Man City, but he has made a permanent move to Köln.
Sheffield United 'considering' move for Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz after Derby County loan spell https://t.co/3ZqeFPmKEB
— Yorkshire Post Sport (@YPSport) July 27, 2026
Looking at the different candidates being linked, we do have a feeling that names are randomly thrown in the hat, fans often believing new faces are much better than what you got yourself. Leicester should carefully consider what to do as both Otchere and Opoku must be options not as good as what you get in.
We have seen several strikers linked, starting with Lyndon Dykes, who was mentioned as a potential Leicester signing in January, but ultimately joined Charlton on a short-term deal. Dykes (30) has been offered a new contract at The Valley, but there are no updates on his decision. He last played for Scotland in the World Cup against Haiti and Morocco. Dykes is a proven goalscorer with power, pace, and presence, making him capable of leading the attack in a League One promotion race.
Free agent Elijah Adebayo is a potential option after leaving Luton this summer, where he in total scored 43 goals in 168 league matches. He has a distinct presence, different from Lyndon Dykes, but struggled with injuries last season, playing in only 2 league games. He reportedly received a contract offer from Leicester, but at 28, he might seek opportunities at a higher level. While he could be a strong alternative at his best, his recent injury problems, makes him a risky alternative to go for.
Leyton Orient attacker Dom Ballard is our next focus. He previously played for Southampton, knowing Russell Martin from that time. Ballard was too young to be a first choice at The Saints and went on loan for experience. His time at Leyton Orient has been impressive, scoring 23 goals in 40 league games last season. He is an intelligent striker who moves around the box, creating plays on his own rather than sticking to a strict role. He relies more on his quick thinking than on speed and is a skilled dribbler. This makes him a very different striker from JV9. He could be a risky signing, potentially not fitting into the setup Leicester is creating with Russell Martin.
Aribim Pepple is another name to see linked with Leicester. The Plymouth Argyle forward who linked up with Lorent Tolaj for The Pilgrims last season. He is a powerful player, having great pace and physical power, two-footed finishing, and explosive running. Standing 185 cm tall, he combines strength with sharp movement. Pepple is as Ballard a player that will demand a transfer fee, and we feel that Nathan Opoku is a very similiar profile and then Pepple would be the wrong candidate.
There are other players being discussed. In our hot, cool and cold rumours update, you will find players linked. You will find Ryan One from Sheffield United, Mikael Mandron from St. Mirren, and Bamba Dieng, a free agent who was last season with Lorient, prevously on the books at Marseille.
There are also other names who have been shouted. One mentioned is Tyrese Shade. He was previously on Leicester books, and one with a potential, but at this point, he will not be the answer to Leicester at this point. He dropped down to non-league with Eastleigh, but his tally of goals are not at the level we would prefer a striker at Leicester to be on, but looking at him playing, he is one with a potential.
One player to watch is former Villarreal attacker Ben Brereton Diaz. He is a 27-year-old English-born Chilean international currently with Southampton. Last season, he was on loan at Derby, scoring 7 goals in 40 league matches. He hasn’t yet reached his full potential, but at League One, he could have shone. Leicester should consider him as he might be willing to take a step down for regular play. He has scored 10 goals in 42 international matches for Chile and is best as a central striker, using his height and finishing to score. He can also play on both flanks if needed. Although he is currently linked with Sheffield United, a regular role at Leicester could see him in a better light. It is reported that a fee of around £4 million is needed for a permanent transfer, with a loan option also possible.
He is a player that has been signed by Russell Martin before, when Soutampton in 2024, decided to use £7million on his services, bringing him back from Spain and Villareal. None of the parties managed to bring the best out of the move, Russell Martin being sacked and Brereton Diaz ending up in the U21 team. So maybe a reunion at a lower level could see the best coming out of this.
We believe it will be a difficult one, Brereton Diaz, being chased by a number of clubs and all of them a level above Leicester, but believe it would have been a lovely signing.
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