According to a report by Brazilian newspaper UOL Esporte, Leicester City failed to sign Gil Vicente centre-back Gabriel Pereira at the last minute.
Leicester City currently leads the Championship table, but they would have hoped to increase its ranks in January regardless. Numerous players were linked, but no new faces appeared at the King Power Stadium.
Stefano Sensi, an Inter Milan midfielder, has been on the radar for a month and appears to be on his way. However, a move failed late on.
Now it has been revealed that the Foxes saw another late offer fail to materialize into a deal. According to Brazilian reporter Bruno Andrade of UOL Esporte, Leicester City attempted to lure center-back Gabriel Pereira away from Gil Vicente late in the transfer window.
However, the Portuguese top division side stood steady, fending off the Championship leaders’ advances. Pereira was considered an option to Lucas Beraldo, who was a Foxes target before moving to PSG. A transaction may be reopened in the summer, but Gil Vicente refused to allow a winter transfer.
One for the summer?
If Leicester City are looking for another centre-back in the summer, Pereira could be one to consider. Gil Vicente appears to be more open to a deal at that point, which makes sense given the extra time they’ll have to find a successor.
It’s possible that the Foxes need another alternative in the back as well. Callum Doyle is on loan from Manchester City, but he has primarily played as a left-back. Jannik Vestergaard’s contract is also expiring, therefore one of two players might join Enzo Maresca’s team.
Pereira’s stock has risen during his year with Gil Vicente. He’s appeared in 19 games in all competitions this season, scoring twice while maintaining a regular starting spot in Portugal.
