Report: Leicester in negotiations for talented youngster Pedro Pereira, swap deal mooted

Leicester City have been linked with Sampdoria’s Pedro Pereira.

According to a report by Gianluca di Marzio, Leicester City and Sampdoria have begun negotiations over a deal for talented youngster Pedro Pereira with Yohan Benalouane possibly heading the other way.

The Foxes finished a memorable 2015 by holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at the King Power Stadium, consolidating their place among the Premier League title challengers.

Leicester currently hold an eight point gap over Crystal Palace in fifth, a situation which may help them in the upcoming transfer market as Champions League qualification now appears extremely realistic.

Claudio Ranieri may be quite wary of disrupting a settled first-team with any major signings in January, yet reports suggest they are keen on bringing in a bright talent for the future.

As stated in the report by Gianlua di Marzio, Leicester and Sampdoria have opened dialogue over a potential deal for 17-year-old Pedro Pereira though the Italian outfit aren’t likely to sell for cheap.

“A €10 million [£7.35m] price tag has been placed on Pedro Pereira, the figure reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, amid talks starting up between Sampdoria and Leicester over the 17-year-old,” the report reads.
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Pereira, a Portugal U18 international right-back, only joined Sampdoria from Benfica last summer but he has caught the eye this season, making eight Serie A appearances despite his young age.

He has averaged 2.3 clearances, 1.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per match thus far. 

The report goes on to say that Sampdoria have asked for Leicester’s Yohan Benalouane in return with the Tunisian centre-back currently out of favour in the East Midlands.

Benalouane only joined Leicester last summer, however the 28-year-old has made just four substitute appearances thus far and is struggling to make an impact.