Next club lined up for overlooked Leicester star, with coach addressing agreement for big move
Caglar Soyuncu could be on his way to Atletico Madrid next year when his Leicester City contract expires, it has been claimed.
Soyuncu is into the final year of his deal with Leicester City and it looks unlikely that he will stay with them. Despite previously having a strong reputation, he has fallen out of favour at the King Power Stadium. Brendan Rodgers has not given him any Premier League appearances this season.
A departure might have been possible in the summer transfer window. Instead, Soyuncu is staying with Leicester until 2023. But still, it could be his last season with the club.
In fact, some details may be emerging about where the Turkey international could end up. According to Huseyin Eroglu, the coach who gave him his senior breakthrough with Altinordu, Soyuncu will be signing for a new club in Europe next year.
Discarding the idea of him returning to his native country, though, Eroglu has claimed that Soyuncu’s destination will be in La Liga with Atletico Madrid.
During an interview with Radyospor, Eroglu explained: “These types of footballers transfer to important teams in Europe or in our country. Especially Caglar Soyuncu is a very important figure because Caglar became the first football player from Altinordu to go abroad.
“Although his name is often mentioned with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce this season, I don’t think Caglar will return to Turkey after Leicester City. Caglar will continue his career in Europe.”
Pressed if Atletico Madrid are the club Soyuncu will be signing for, Eroglu affirmed: “Yes, that’s it.”
It would represent a first experience of playing in the Spanish top flight for Soyuncu. His previous experiences have been in Turkey with Altinordu, Germany with Freiburg, and England with Leicester.
Spanish switch should be step up for Soyuncu
As someone who will be 27 years old at the end of his Leicester contract, it could be time for Soyuncu to take on a new challenge.
And although leaving the Premier League behind, Atletico Madrid would represent a step up. Indeed, they regularly compete in the Champions League, having established themselves as the main competitors to Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga.
One of their more experienced centre-backs, Felipe, will be out of contract in 2023. Perhaps Soyuncu could arrive at the Wanda Metropolitano to replenish the ranks.
Atletico may even have had a use for him now if he was at their disposal. Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic have both been on the sidelines recently. It has left Felipe and Mario Hermoso as their only available centre-halves.
They have been using some players out of position to provide cover. Soyuncu would increase their depth to avoid such a scenario.
Leicester, meanwhile, also have Daniel Amartey and Jonny Evans out of contract in 2023. There may also be some doubt about the future of Jannik Vestergaard, whose terms expire in 2024.
It means summer signing Wout Faes could be the only certainty at the back for Leicester this time next year. Therefore, the defence will be an area for the club to think carefully about.
But it seems Soyuncu will definitely no longer be a part of it. Only time will tell if his former coach’s claims are true, but he could be set for bigger and better things in Madrid.
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