Why it makes sense for Leicester to spend big on Norwich man
Why it makes sense for Leicester to spend big on Norwich man

Why it makes sense for Leicester to spend big on Norwich man

Leicester City’s main aim for this transfer window has to be to keep the stars who helped them win the 2015/16 Premier League, with the club priced at 25/1 to retain their title.

Jamie Vardy has already committed his future to the Foxes after interest from Arsenal, but they are still likely to have to deal with bids for N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez.

However, Claudio Ranieri also appears to be looking to add to his title-winning team, with someone who had a strong Euro 2016 being linked to the King Power Stadium.

According to The Sun, the champions want to bring in Norwich City’s Robbie Brady, with the tabloid reporting that Leicester would be willing to pay £12m to get the Republic of Ireland international.

That may seem like an extortionate price but, if you examine the deal closely, you can see why it makes sense.

Firstly, the 24-year-old’s performances in France have shown that he can cut it on the grandest stage.

He struck twice at Euro 2016, against the hosts and Italy, making him the Boys in Green’s top scorer.

Impressively, he is the only player in the competition so far to have netted against the Azzurri, achieving something that proved beyond the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Obviously, there is always a risk involved when signing a player based purely on their exploits at a major tournament, but Brady has more strings to his bow than just what he has been doing on the international stage.

The Manchester United academy graduate played in six different roles for the Canaries last term and this versatility has to be an asset to any club.

He appeared at left back, left midfield in a 4-4-2, attacking left midfield in a 4-2-3-1, centre midfield, right midfield and right back at least once during the previous Premier League campaign and scored from all but two of those positions (left midfield and right back).

Furthermore, the money coming into and being spent in the English top flight now means that market value has completely shifted.

For example, Liverpool have just spent £34m on signing Sadio Mane from Southampton, despite the club not having European football to fall back on for a financial boost and the forward costing the Saints £11.8m just two years ago.

Therefore, in the grand scheme of things, £12m isn’t an unfair valuation.

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