Leicester City are facing renewed interest from Sunderland for their talented winger Abdul Fatawu, but the Foxes are expected to resist any mid-season sale as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old Ghana international has quickly established himself as a key figure in Martí Cifuentes’ squad, contributing five goals and seven assists in 26 Championship appearances so far this season.
His creativity, pace, and ability to both score and set up goals make him a central figure in Leicester’s attacking setup.
Having joined Leicester in summer 2023 from Sporting Clube de Portugal initially on loan before a permanent £14 million deal Fatawu has developed into one of the club’s most promising young players.
He is under contract until 2029, giving the Foxes significant leverage in any potential negotiations.
Fatawu’s contributions extend beyond the attacking third.
According to FotMob, he averages 0.21 goals and 0.29 assists per game, along with 2.71 successful dribbles per match and a 42.9% dribble completion rate.
Defensively, he averages 6.45 duels won and 4.56 recoveries per game, highlighting his all-round value.
His combination of skill, work rate, and versatility makes him crucial as Leicester aim to secure a top-six finish in the Championship.
Currently, the Foxes sit 12th in the table, four points off sixth-placed Watford, though they have played one game more than some of their promotion rivals.
Losing Abdul Fatawu now could significantly hamper Leicester’s bid for an immediate return to the Premier League, making him virtually untouchable from a sporting perspective.
Leicester City are not immune to financial pressure.
The club recently offloaded Wout Faes to AS Monaco, and other departures may follow as the Foxes seek to manage costs.
However, Fatawu is considered too important to release cheaply, even amid fiscal constraints. Sunderland and other Premier League sides may be tempted to table large offers, but Leicester’s priority is likely to remain sporting ambition over short-term financial gain.
Sunderland are reportedly keen on Fatawu, having held a long-term interest and previously submitting a £28 million offer last summer.
They are currently looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the February 2 transfer deadline, and Fatawu would be a key addition for the Black Cats.
Despite this, Leicester are expected to resist any mid-season bid unless the terms are extraordinarily favourable, reflecting the winger’s central role in their promotion push.
For Leicester City, Abdul Fatawu is more than just a rising star he is central to their Championship strategy and long-term plans.
While transfer speculation may continue, it is expected that the Foxes will do everything in their power to retain the winger, prioritising on-field success as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
