Exclusive: Leicester plot Wolves raid for Conor Coady to help replace departing duo after Everton decision

Wolves captain Conor Coady

Relegated Leicester City are eyeing a move for Wolves defender Conor Coady as they plot an immediate return to the Premier League, TEAMtalk understands.

Coady is returning to Wolves after Everton opted against making his loan deal at Goodison Park permanent at the end of the season. The 30-year-old made 25 appearances for the Toffees and scored two goals, but he only played six times under Sean Dyche following his arrival at the end of January.

The England international is unlikely to figure in Wolves’ plans going forward and they are open to offers for the defender this summer. After all, there are only two years remaining on his contract back at Molineux, so he could be on the move again ahead of the new season.

Leicester are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer with Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey confirmed to be leaving the King Power Stadium on free transfers.

Soyuncu will be on his way to Atletico Madrid in La Liga after the expiry of his contract. TEAMtalk revealed earlier this week that Brendan Rodgers has identified Amartey as a target after returning to Celtic a few months after Leicester sacked him.

Meanwhile, the Foxes are in talks with Jonny Evans over a new deal, with his current contract ending this month.

Leicester, who recently appointed Enzo Maresca as their new head coach to succeed Rodgers’ initial replacement Dean Smith, are keen to build a squad capable of winning promotion next season. They see Coady’s experience and leadership qualities as a key addition to their plans.

Leicester call on Coady for Championship experience

Capped 10 times by England, Coady has played in the Premier League for the past five seasons running after helping Wolves win promotion from the Championship in the 2017-18 season.

Since his debut for Liverpool a decade ago and subsequent spells with Wolves and Everton, Coady has amassed a total of 176 top-flight appearances. He was ever-present for Wolves in the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22 campaigns before they let him leave on loan last summer.

He has previously spent four seasons in the second tier – one with Huddersfield Town and three with Wolves. Making 167 Championship appearances in that time, it culminated in Coady being named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season after Wolves’ promotion-winning campaign.

Now, Leicester are hoping he can help them secure an immediate return to the Premier League after they finished 18th this season, two points adrift of Everton.

They seemingly face a battle to keep hold of some of their existing talents, though, since reports have suggested they could lose Harvey Barnes and James Maddison this summer.