EXCLUSIVE: Fabrizio Romano confirms Leicester are now close to signing 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker as Foxes reach advanced talks to sign player

Leicester City are close to finalising a deal for a striker as Steve Cooper desperately looks to add firepower to his squad ahead of the Premier League. Steve Cooper has had a turbulent time since taking over as Leicester City manager.

Leicester sold their best player in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea early in the summer, whilst Jamie Vardy has not featured since the first friendly of pre-season with an injury that is likely to see him miss the start of the season.

To add to Cooper’s woes, both Conor Coady and Patson Daka have picked up injuries in the past week that will also see the duo miss the start of the Premier League.

However, Leicester’s luck could be about to change with the club closing in on a deal for a Bundesliga winner shortly after news of a £23 million bid for Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis.

Centre-forward has quickly become a priority position for Cooper after the injuries to both Vardy and Daka. Having left him on the bench following Daka’s injury in the first half against RC Lens on Saturday, Cooper clearly does not fancy Tom Cannon despite the youngster being the only natural striker available to him.

Now, not long after news broke of a big money bid for Greek forward Ioannidis, Leicester look to be close to a deal that would see Adam Hlozek join from Bayer Leverkusen – initially on loan but with an obligation to buy next summer.

That is according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who posted on ‘X’: “Exclusive: Leicester City are in advanced talks to sign Adam Hlozek from Bayer Leverkusen.

“Negotiations at final stages between clubs for loan with obligation to buy, Leicester want to get it done as club sources confirm.

“Talks still ongoing on player side before here-we-go.”

Hlozek iscored seven goals and provided five assists in all competitions as Leverkusen secured a historic domestic double.

What makes this goal return more impressive is the fact that the young striker only started five league games, playing second fiddle to Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface.