Don Goodman believes that Leicester City’s retention of Abdul Fatawu this summer would be a “massive boost” amidst interest from Premier League newcomers Sunderland.
The Black Cats pursued a deal for the Leicester winger during the summer, submitting a proposal of around £28 million to sign him, which was ultimately rejected.
Fatawu was a crucial player when the Foxes won the Championship in 2024, and despite a disrupted Premier League campaign owing to an ACL injury, there is hope that he may return to the squad and play an important role in another victorious season.
However, Sunderland’s interest and bid for the Ghanaian have sparked doubts over whether Leicester should sell him or keep him to boost their prospective promotion challenge.
The former Premier League champions have been dealing with a variety of PSR challenges in recent years, and approving a sale could help with these issues.
Don Goodman thinks that retaining Abdul Fatawu would be a “massive boost” for Leicester City
Following Sunderland’s proposal being rejected by the Foxes, Football League World talked exclusively with Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman to get his thoughts on whether Leicester should retain Fatawu.
Goodman told FLW: “There’s no doubt in my mind that a Leicester City squad with Abdul Fatawu in it is a stronger one, and provides them a better chance of regaining promotion to the Premier League at the first try than if he wasn’t there.
“I guess Leicester City’s difficulty is financial, and the amount of money they might collect for him would undoubtedly assist their profit and sustainability situation.
“They have numerous other top-tier wide players for the Championship, so it’s possible that they believe they can deal without him.
“But certainly from a footballing perspective, it would be a massive boost for Marti Cifuentes if Abdul Fatawu stayed,” he told reporters.
Kasey McAteer’s sale could improve Leicester’s chances of keeping Fatawu
After speaking with Goodman, FLW learned that Ipswich Town had agreed to a £12 million deal with Leicester for winger Kasey McAteer, which has subsequently been confirmed.
Goodman also discussed how this sale could affect City’s prospects of keeping the Ghanaian, saying: “I’ve just noticed that Ipswich have had a bid approved by Leicester for Kasey McAteer.
“If that deal goes through [which it now has], it’s likely Leicester will be able to retain Fatawu, so it’s a win-win for all players and both clubs.”
Now that McAteer has moved on, and the likely sale of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to Arsenal has prompted the Eagles to express interest in Bilai El Khannouss, it appears the Foxes have a better chance of keeping the 23-year-old.
With one major winger already gone and El Khannouss on the verge of leaving, it appears unlikely that Cifuentes would be willing to allow another crucial player, Fatawu, go.
Especially after his spectacular second-half strike gave the Foxes all three points away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
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