Leicester City have endured a testing time in the summer transfer window, which could become even more difficult thanks to Sunderland.
Leicester City suffered their first defeat of the 2025/26 Championship season at the weekend with a 2-1 loss to Preston North End.
The Marti Cifuentes era for Leicester in the league began with a comeback victory over Sheffield Wednesday on opening weekend, but the Foxes failed to make it successive wins under the Spaniard.
Despite the defeat at Deepdale, some positive news arose from Leicester’s loss as Jeremy Monga broke Jude Bellingham’s record by becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer in Championship history.
Unfortunately for Cifuentes, the Leicester headlines have returned to negative ways with reports emerging that Sunderland have launched a move for a crucial Foxes talent.
Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City reacts against Preston North End
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Sunderland submit £28m bid for Leicester City ace Abdul Fatawu
Since Sunderland won the Championship play-off final to earn promotion back to the top flight, the Black Cats have been linked with one Leicester figure in particular.
Sunderland were linked with Bilal El Khannouss earlier in the window, but the Black Cats’ interest in the Moroccan had cooled before reports emerged that El Khannouss’ “priority” move is Crystal Palace.
Now, reports have emerged from talkSPORT that Sunderland have lodged a £28m bid for Leicester winger Abdul Fatawu.
After some of the Foxes faithful left early against Preston, Fatawu told Leicester fans “we need you”, which could be one of his final interactions with the supporters if his move to Wearside materialises.
Ghanaian international Fatawu failed to score last season for Leicester in the top flight in 13 outings and is yet to get off the mark this season.
The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive pre-season campaign, scoring against Fiorentina in a man-of-the-match display during Leicester’s 2-0 win.
After the game, Cifuentes told Leicester of Fatawu: “Abdul was outstanding. He was enjoying it. It was a brilliant goal.”
Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
As well as Sunderland, Everton are keen on Fatawu with the Toffees reportedly placing the youngster on a “list of targets”.
Fatawu initially arrived at Leicester on loan from Portuguese giants Sporting in the summer of 2023, and went on to score seven goals and notch 13 assists in 43 appearances for the Foxes.
Statistic Abdul Fatawu for Leicester City
Games played 58
Goals 7
Assists 15
Abdul Fatawu’s statistics for Leicester City.
Last summer, his switch to the King Power Stadium was made permanent, but since then, the Ghanaian has had a torrid time with injuries.
Fatawu missed 29 games last season amid Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League after suffering an ACL injury in November.
After a stuttering start to the season, Leicester need all hands on deck to mount an automatic promotion charge under Cifuentes, meaning that retaining Fatawu is of the utmost importance for the Foxes’ prospects.