BRENDAN RODGERS is preparing for life without Chelsea-bound Ben Chilwell and has already targeted two potential replacements for the England left-back.
SunSport can reveal Atalanta’s free-scoring left-wing-back Robin Gosens and Fulham’s Play-off final hero Joe Bryan now head Rodgers’ wanted list, with Chilwell expected to complete his £50million move to Stamford Bridge later this week.
The Leicester boss has tracked Gosens for much of the season and clearly knows his stuff as the 26-year-old earned his first call up to the Germany squad yesterday after manager Joachim Low recognised his stunning form in Italy.
Despite playing in one of the most defensive leagues in the world, Gosens has bagged an impressive nine goals and provided eight assists from his left-wing-back position, as well as scoring in the Champions’ League for the Serie A top-scorers Atalanta.
That form has seen his value soar, with Juventus, Inter Milan, Hertha Berlin and even Chelsea linked with the attacking full-back throughout his stellar season.
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Gosens was an £800,000 steal when Atalanta signed him from Dutch club Heracles Almelo in 2017 but now the Italians are ready to cash in and have slapped a €30million – £27million price tag – on their attacking ace.
Born on the border with the Netherlands to a Dutch father and German mother, Gosens emerged from Vitesse Arnhem’s Academy but is now in line to make a shock debut for Germany against Spain or Switzerland next month.
By then he could be a Leicester City signing if Rodgers has his way, but the Foxes boss knows he faces stiff competition for the German.
That’s why he is also keeping tabs on Fulham’s Play-off hero Joe Bryan, whose Wembley brace broke Brentford’s hearts to earn Scott Parker’s side their place in the Premier League.
Surprisingly, the Cottagers may be preparing to part company with Bryan after signing Antonee Robinson from Wigan Athletic.
There is a feeling Robinson’s defensive qualities could be better suited to Fulham’s needs if they experience another backs-to-the-wall campaign in the Premier League.
Bryan’s attacking instincts were seldom seen during Fulham’s last fateful campaign in the top flight and there is a feeling he would flourish in a side who spend more time on the front foot, such as the Foxes.
The London club signed Bryan from Bristol City for just over £6million but a bid of £15million and the chance to more than double their money might tempt them to sell the defender, who has two years left on his current contract.
Whoever starts the season as Leicester’s first choice left back, they are sure to have competition from understudy Luke Thomas, who was rewarded with a new long-term contract yesterday.
The 19-year-old England youth international broke into the Foxes first team last season, appearing against Sheffield United, Spurs and Manchester United in July and impressed Rodgers enough to earn a wage-rise and a new deal.
