Ranieri hopeful Leicester can sign new striker

Rob Conlon
Claudio Ranieri: Refusing to get carried away

Claudio Ranieri: Refusing to get carried away

Claudio Ranieri has confirmed Leicester City remain in negotiations to bring a new striker to the King Power Stadium.

Allowing Andrej Kramaric to go out on loan to German club Hoffenheim has left Ranieri with just three strikers and the Italian would like to lessen the burden on main man Jamie Vardy.

The Premier League leaders have failed in a bid to sign Italy international Eder and their attempts to bring CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa no longer look promising.

Leicester still have players under consideration, with Loic Remy at Ranieri’s former club Chelsea and Crystal Palace’s Dwight Gayle linked with a move to the Foxes.

“Always I am positive but now, believe me, I am very focused on the next match,” said Ranieri, whose team host Liverpool on Tuesday night.

“There are other people involved in the negotiations. Everything is done [identifying players] and now it is their job. My job is thinking about the team.

“It [the squad] is enough because my team is so strong, so it doesn’t matter. If a player arrives or doesn’t arrive, it’s the same.

“If someone arrives I’m happy because these kind of players can help us. That’s it. I am always confident.”

One of Ranieri’s two new signings this month, Daniel Amartey, could be Leicester’s joker in the pack, according to the City boss, as the title race hots up.

Ranieri thinks the 21-year-old Ghana international’s versatility will be beneficial.

“His position is central midfielder but he can play also centre-back, right-back and he can play on the flank or in the middle,” he said.

“He is young, experienced and a good player. I could use in any of those positions. I don’t know the name here but in Italy we say he is a joker – you can put him in every position.”

Amartey is not expected to be involved against Liverpool but he could be ready for the huge clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Jeff Schlupp and Matty James remain Leicester’s only injury absentees for Tuesday night.