Marti Cifuentes’ first priority as Leicester City manager should be to hijack Blackburn Rovers transfer

Add as preferred source on Google

Marti Cifuentes has now officially been unveiled as the new Leicester City manager and we know exactly what his first move should be.

A hectic and frustrating summer for Leicester City fans has seen Ruud van Nistelrooy eventually sacked after a long period of uncertainty, and negotiations to appoint his successor drag out.

Marti Cifuentes has long been expected to take on the role, with the former QPR man even taking a pay cut to make the job his own.

It’s fair to say Cifuentes will have a task on his hands to win over Leicester fans after so much has gone wrong in the last 12 months. Still, this signing could help him get off to a good start.

• READ MORE: Sky Sports pundit says what he’s heard about incoming Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes, ‘to be quite honest’

Foxes can swoop for Moussa Baradji as Blackburn stall

While Blackburn’s dream transfer window would probably include the signing of midfielder Moussa Baradji, plans to bring in the Yverdon Sport star have hit a stumbling block.

Baradji had flown into Blackburn to thrash out the deal, but the move now hangs in the balance. Those issues could well see Celtic go back for Baradji, with the Scottish giants previously keen on the Frenchman.

But, Leicester have also had their eye on Baradji, and Cifuentes should push for the Foxes to reignite that interest now that the move to Ewood Park is in jeopardy. Celtic may be able to offer European football, but the lure of playing in England is clearly strong for the player.

Baradji played a key role for Yverdon last season in the Swiss league, scoring four goals and adding three assists in 29 games. He was unable to save them from relegation, though, and is now poised to move onto bigger and better things.

• READ MORE: Marti Cifuentes paid tribute to Leicester City in 2016, he will want to replicate some of that ‘joy’ 10 years on

How much of a rebuild will Marti Cifuentes need to carry out?

There’s every chance that Cifuentes’ starting XI at Leicester City will lean into the impressive youth options at his disposal, especially if more experienced players move on. The likes of Jeremy Monga and Will Alves will get a chance, that’s for sure.

While relegation wage drop clauses will help the Foxes out, there are still some financial issues at the King Power Stadium that could see bigger names depart.

Bilal El Khannouss now looks likely to leave, with Sunderland keen on the Moroccan star, and he would be a huge loss for Cifuentes.

The likes of Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Caleb Okoli could also be off, leaving Cifuentes with a big rebuild on his hands ahead of the new season.