Sky Sports reporter confirms Leicester City have halted a January move for 24-year-old
Leicester City has allegedly prevented a potential January departure for defender Caleb Okoli, rejecting a transfer proposal from Italian Serie B club Cremonese. As per Sky Sports correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio, the Foxes have indicated that the 24-year-old centre-back is not on the market during this window, even with the player’s inconsistent playing time in the Championship this season. Leicester City has declined pursuit for Caleb Okoli Di Marzio shared that Cremonese targeted Caleb Okoli as a pivotal addition to enhance their defense. However, the inquiry was promptly met with a firm rejection from Leicester City’s management. He noted that the club quickly dismissed the interest, emphasizing their determination to keep the squad stable for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. This isn’t the first occasion an Italian side has expressed interest in the Leicester City player, as earlier in the summer, AC Milan were connected to Okoli as well. Okoli, who transferred to the Foxes from Atalanta, has made several appearances this season but has encountered tough competition for a starting role. Even though he hasn’t been a guaranteed starter each week, with 14 league games played so far, the club clearly regards him as an essential component. Given the demanding Championship schedule and the team’s objective to ascend the table, parting with an experienced defender in January appeared to be a risk the management was unwilling to undertake. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) Leicester City’s 25/26 season so far This season has been tumultuous for Leicester City as they return to the second tier. After descending from the Premier League last year, the Foxes have struggled to find consistency in the Championship. As of early January 2026, the team is stuck in mid-table, holding 14th position with 34 points from 25 matches. The inconsistency has hindered their ability to gain momentum towards playoff contention. The team managed a morale-lifting 2-1 triumph over Derby County at the end of 2025, only to face a disappointing 3-1 loss against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day. Under manager Martí Cifuentes, the defense has been leaky, conceding 37 goals in 25 matches, a statistic that illustrates the club’s hesitance to allow a defender like Okoli to depart. With playoff opportunities becoming increasingly distant, maintaining squad depth is essential if Leicester aspires to mount a strong promotion bid in the latter half of the season.
Published: 2026-01-04 22:01:00
source: www.caughtoffside.com
