After Ipswich Town saw some pretty hefty offers turned down despite being backed by the riches of the Premier League, the chances of Southampton or Leicester City luring an uber-expensive centre-forward to the Championship always felt slim.
Now, as further details emerge regarding the potential price-tag of the centre-forward in question, any lingering speculation can surely be put to bed.
Leicester confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy’s departure on Friday lunchtime. A prolific centre-forward in his playing days, The Foxes could do with a striker of Van Nistelrooy’s renowned instincts if they are to render their return to the Championship a flying visit.
Over at St Mary’s, while Trabzonspor have hit out at Southampton as negotiations over Paul Onuachu stumble on, the Nigerian’s likely departure means the Saints will also be in the market for a number nine.
But, one year after Ipswich Town tried and failed to convince Panathinaikos to part with Fotis Ioannidis, the 25-year-old’s already hefty price tag has barely budged.
It was reported earlier June, via Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, that the recently-relegated duo of Leicester City and Southampton were sniffing around Fotis Ioannidis alongside a number of Serie A clubs.
Now, given Leicester’s well-publicised financial issues and considering that Southampton are unlikely to spend considerably either now that they are back in the second-tier, the only way Ioannidis was going to end up at the King Power or St Mary’s was if Panathinaikos were prepared to sell for a substantial discount.
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Leicester City FC
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Fotis Ioannidis is surely too expensive for Leicester City and Southampton
Greek publication Sport Time claim that the 25-year-old is still valued at an eye-watering £21 million.
That is despite the fact that Ioannidis scored only 11 goals in 42 games last season, compared to 23 the year before. Ioannidis is reportedly also in no rush to leave Panathinaikos. He has a contract until the summer of 2028.
So far, Southampton have signed only Joshua Quarshie this summer.
Chile winger Lucas Cepeda has been linked heavily but the trail appears to have grown cold recently. Southampton will not reunite Will Still with Juma Bah either. The duo worked together at RC Lens last season but Bah, a teenage defender owned by Manchester City, is now returning to France with Nice.
Leicester sack head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy amid Sean Dyche links
As for Leicester, the departure of club legend Jamie Vardy means a now-managerless Foxes outfit are under massive pressure to find not only a head coach but also a new number nine.
“I would like to personally thank the Leicester City players, coaches, academy and all the staff I have worked with for their professionalism and dedication during my time at the Club,” Manchester United and Netherlands icon Van Nistelrooy said in a statement provided to the official Leicester website.
“[I want] to thank the fans for their support, and take this opportunity to wish the Club well for the future.”
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has been heavily linked. EFL Analysis understands that some at Leicester are on board with hiring Sean Dyche, but others are not quite so sure.