What Calvin Stengs’ father-in-law Frank de Boer told £6m star about joining Leicester City

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To think, the battle to sign potential Bilal El Khannouss replacement Calvin Stengs initially appeared to be a straight fight between Leicester City and Scottish champions Celtic.

But just as a two-horse race was threatening to develop between two clubs on either side of Hadrian’s Wall, a third charged through the gap before winning the race by a nose.

Of course, should Bilal El Khannouss stay put at Leicester City, missing out on his potential successor may not be that much of an issue.

Talks between Leicester and Crystal Palace collapsed on Tuesday, according to Rob Dorsett, after the Foxes raised their asking price to £35 million, their PSR concerns eased by the departure of James Justin to Leeds United.

As for Calvin Stengs, Sky Sports claimed that Leicester only planned to sign the Feyenoord playmaker if El Khannouss was sold. With the Moroccan stuck in limbo, this has allowed Serie A newcomers Pisa to move into pole position, overtaking Celtic in the process.

And Frank de Boer, Dutch legend and Stengs’ father-in-law, feels that the 26-year-old would be better off under the shadow of the Leaning Tower at any rate.

Frank de Boer thinks Calvin Stengs right to join Pisa over Leicester City

Stengs was spotted arriving in Pisa for his medical tests earlier today.

The Nerazzurri are reportedly set to sign the one-time AZ Alkmaar talisman on an initial loan deal, albeit one that could become permanent to the tune of £6 million.

Stengs touches down in Italy having missed over 30 games for Feyenoord through injury last season alone. De Boer, while hoping that his medical tests do not throw up any further concerns, believes that Leicester would have been the wrong move at the wrong time for a player who would benefit from moving to a less hectic, fast-paced league than England’s second-tier.

ESPN pundit Kees Kwakman talked to the aforementioned De Boer this week, and reveals that the Barcelona, Ajax and Rangers icon was leaning towards Pisa rather than Leicester.

“It’s true,” Kwakman explains. “We were also talking about English interest and then [De Boer] also said, ‘I also think Italy is a better fit for him’.”

“I think [Italian] football suits him better. The pace is slower, and he can unleash his creativity. Hopefully, he stays fit and gets playing time.

“I assume [Pisa] know what they’re getting into. He’s been training for weeks and is on the bench at Feyenoord. They’re not bringing in a player with known knee problems. He might have to miss a day or two after a match, but they know that.”

Leicester could keep Bilal El Khannouss after selling Kasey McAteer

Stengs did miss over a year’s worth of action with an ACL tear in 2017 but, last season’s frustrations aside, this is not exactly a footballer who could justifiably be called ‘injury-prone’.

An elegant, silky playmaker, Stengs is one of the most watchable yet effective operators in Dutch football when fit and firing. He scored six goals and assisted 12 more from just 26 starts during Arne Slot’s final year at the helm in 2023/24.

While El Khannouss’ future remains uncertain, Marti Cifuentes hopes to keep Abdul Fatawu at the King Power. Sunderland reportedly offered £28 million for the Foxes winger, who scored a stunning goal in Saturday’s narrow victory over Charlton Athletic.

Kasey McAteer has joined Ipswich Town this month already.

In terms of potential incomings, Ben Jacobs reports that Leicester could move for Manchester City’s Issa Kabore as a replacement for full-back Justin.

Leicester reportedly want Bundesliga goalkeeper Jonas Omlin from Borussia Monchengladbach, too.