Who do we need (Summer 2026)

[County Fox]

On 13/04/2026 at 23:12, kingfox said:

Archie Collins - Peterborough 

 

Looks like he’ll be a free agent in the summer.

As sad as it is to see ourselves in this position, this is probably the type of signing we need to be looking at in the summer. 

 

Get rid of Winks, and take in a Free Transfer player (DM) who has had a peak value of around 850k, and is at a decent age to hit the ground running. I imagine someone like this would come here with a point to prove https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/archie-collins/profil/spieler/472714

[County Fox]

We will definitely be digging around the Free Transfer market this summer. 

 

One would hope that, if you were the agent of a decent League 1 player whose contract is ending, you would be seeing Leicester as an ideal place to tout your player. 

 

Chatgpt (so I bet the info isn't quite correct) has given me these names.

Depressing as the list is, I bet most of these players would perform better than our current crop of sh*t).

 

 

Player	Club	Position	Contract ends	L1 Apps	Goals	Assists	Minutes	Peak value (career)
Ashley Fletcher	Blackpool	CF	30 Jun 2026	40	15	5	3,097’	€3.7m (31 Dec 2019) [transfermarkt.co.uk], [fotmob.com]
Sam Hoskins	Northampton	RW	30 Jun 2026	33	5	4	2,310’	(I can fetch his peak value next — not in the sources pulled in this turn) [transfermarkt.co.uk], [transfermarkt.co.uk]
Will Evans	Mansfield	CF	30 Jun 2026	39	8	2	2,869’	€675.3k (31 Aug 2024) [transfermarkt.co.in], [fotmob.com]
Ilmari Niskanen	Exeter	RM / RW	30 Jun 2026	43	2	11	3,870’	€1.3m (31 Dec 2018) [transfermarkt.co.uk], [fotmob.com]
Amario Cozier‑Duberry	Bolton	RW	31 May 2026	28	6	9	2,277’	$8.6m (1 Sep 2023) [transfermarkt.co.uk], [fotmob.com]

Edited 15 April by County Fox
Chatgpt

[kingfox]

1 hour ago, County Fox said:

As sad as it is to see ourselves in this position, this is probably the type of signing we need to be looking at in the summer. 

 

Get rid of Winks, and take in a Free Transfer player (DM) who has had a peak value of around 850k, and is at a decent age to hit the ground running. I imagine someone like this would come here with a point to prove https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/archie-collins/profil/spieler/472714

There’s a few central midfielders in League 1 that I wouldn’t mind us looking at, but with Collins probably becoming a free agent, he makes the most realistic sense. 
 

Or you look towards possible loans from Premier League & Championship clubs, Cameron Humphreys(Ipswich) for example.

[Stadt]

These are the best rated L1 upcoming free agents using https://best11scouting.streamlit.app/Men's_App

Looks decent as well but hard to tell with CB stats

 

Looks like the profile we need:

Edited 17 April by Stadt

[cityfanlee23]

 2 players that really catch my eye whether we pull off a miracle or not are Enzo Bardeli (Box crashing CM - 25yo - Dunkerque, Free Agent ) and Jocelyn Janneh (Ball winning DM - 23yo - Bastia), 

Enzo Bardeli (Box Crashing CM) - Dunkerque (Ligue 2) Free agent in summer, 29 games, 9 goals, 5 assists from CM, can also play Defensive midfield and Attacking mid, imo would be classy in League 1 and we can easily compete with wages of clubs likely to offer him a deal
Key Stats (Per 90)
0.32 goals (15 goals per season over 46 games, elite for a CM)
0.22 xG (consistently in scoring positions)
2.77 touches in the box
88% passing success
https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/1332540/enzo-bardeli

Jocelyn Janneh (CDM) - Bastia (Ligue 2) Hard tackling Ball winning midfielder. Elite ball winning volume at this level, actively recovers possession. **PRIORITY**
Key stats (Per 90)
6.34 duels won 
86.4% successful passes.
58% duel success
65.8 touches (high for a defensive player, good in transition)
6.04 recoveries 
3.61 Tackles
https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/1367955/jocelyn-janneh

Few others that catch my eye for a team strapped of cash and needing to sign players with something to offer in the short term:
Dom Iorfa - Free
Max Lowe - Free
Niccolo Squizzato - Free

If Wednesday need to offload players, Pierce Charles will only have 1 year left in summer also. 

[County Fox]

2 hours ago, Stadt said:

These are the best rated L1 upcoming free agents using https://best11scouting.streamlit.app/Men's_App

Looks decent as well but hard to tell with CB stats

 

Looks like the profile we need:

Got my hopes up, when I watched this Bristol Rovers fan opinion of Connor Taylor leaving them https://www.google.com/search?q=connor+taylor&oq=connor+taylor&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQgyMzkxajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:f7d085d1,vid:qEOBoUaboz0,st:0

 

But then when you look at the Bristol Rovers forum, they aren't quite so kind 'Mid to low level League One player at best' (although, with how Leicester are doing, that may about suit us next season!!! ;-) )

https://gaschat.co.uk/thread/24178/connor-taylor#:~:text=Hello Rovers fans…Wycombe fan in,we've been royally had over.

 

[County Fox]

1 hour ago, cityfanlee23 said:

 2 players that really catch my eye whether we pull off a miracle or not are Enzo Bardeli (Box crashing CM - 25yo - Dunkerque, Free Agent ) and Jocelyn Janneh (Ball winning DM - 23yo - Bastia), 

Enzo Bardeli (Box Crashing CM) - Dunkerque (Ligue 2) Free agent in summer, 29 games, 9 goals, 5 assists from CM, can also play Defensive midfield and Attacking mid, imo would be classy in League 1 and we can easily compete with wages of clubs likely to offer him a deal
Key Stats (Per 90)
0.32 goals (15 goals per season over 46 games, elite for a CM)
0.22 xG (consistently in scoring positions)
2.77 touches in the box
88% passing success
https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/1332540/enzo-bardeli

Jocelyn Janneh (CDM) - Bastia (Ligue 2) Hard tackling Ball winning midfielder. Elite ball winning volume at this level, actively recovers possession. **PRIORITY**
Key stats (Per 90)
6.34 duels won 
86.4% successful passes.
58% duel success
65.8 touches (high for a defensive player, good in transition)
6.04 recoveries 
3.61 Tackles
https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/1367955/jocelyn-janneh

Few others that catch my eye for a team strapped of cash and needing to sign players with something to offer in the short term:
Dom Iorfa - Free
Max Lowe - Free
Niccolo Squizzato - Free

If Wednesday need to offload players, Pierce Charles will only have 1 year left in summer also. 

I like the sound of both of them. The club need to cast the net abroad to look for bargains.

 

I also like the 'Max Lowe' shout: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/max-lowe/profil/spieler/258885

[Stadt]

2 minutes ago, County Fox said:

I like the sound of both of them. The club need to cast the net abroad to look for bargains.

 

I also like the 'Max Lowe' shout: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/max-lowe/profil/spieler/258885

Playing for all three big East Mids clubs and both Sheffield clubs would be some going 

[KFS]

Can we even sign anyone 

[Sankey93]

Lorent Tolaj

[AjcW]

If we’re allowed anyone, I’d like us to take a punt on Abdul Abdulmalik.
 

Was released by Millwall last season but currently posting great numbers in the national league for Boreham Wood.

 

Looks like one that might have got away for Millwall given how good they’ve been at producing attacking midfielders! 

[LCFCJohn]

1 hour ago, Sankey93 said:

Lorent Tolaj

Under contract until 2029. Even L1 strikers are commanding big fees now (Kone cost £6 mill for QPR with 1 year left last summer). No chance we will be able to afford the likes of Tolaj and Ballard unfortunately. Both likely to cost at least £8 mill. 
 

It’s a shame. I don’t think it’s a case of the days being gone where a team can go down and pick the best talent from that league. But you at least have to go down in a financial position to do so which it’s quite clear we are a mess.

[LVFox]

Charlie Webster from Burton

[RichardGearman]

In terms of championship players ending their contracts, we will desperately need players over the age of 27 in order to have someone guiding younger players. Some realistic options;

 

Tom Davies - CM (27)- sheff united - has had rotten luck with injuries and hasn't been able to stay fit. League One would be a good level for him to get back on track. Experience will be great for the youngsters and he will be hungry to prove himself.

 

Liam Cooper - CB (34) - we will need a new club captain and i have always admired him as a personality. With no centre backs left at the club, this is a position we need and he is proven leader and winner. Should be fit following his groin injury by july.

 

Emiliano Marcondes - AM (31) - his career at norwich is over, creative player who will be a top performer in league one. Will have a point to prove given how badly its gone at norwich.

 

No, I am not excited either, but we need actually personalities and players with points to prove. It's how we recruited before the decline.

[Blue ROI]

Why waste time with the likes of this thread?

 

You just know we'll get more Rudkin and Nepo crybaby approved crap

[teblin]

Charlie Webster at burton is decent. 

[UniFox21]

Dom Ballard at Orient

[AjcW]

3 hours ago, RichardGearman said:

In terms of championship players ending their contracts, we will desperately need players over the age of 27 in order to have someone guiding younger players. Some realistic options;

 

Tom Davies - CM (27)- sheff united - has had rotten luck with injuries and hasn't been able to stay fit. League One would be a good level for him to get back on track. Experience will be great for the youngsters and he will be hungry to prove himself.

 

Liam Cooper - CB (34) - we will need a new club captain and i have always admired him as a personality. With no centre backs left at the club, this is a position we need and he is proven leader and winner. Should be fit following his groin injury by july.

 

Emiliano Marcondes - AM (31) - his career at norwich is over, creative player who will be a top performer in league one. Will have a point to prove given how badly its gone at norwich.

 

No, I am not excited either, but we need actually personalities and players with points to prove. It's how we recruited before the decline.

Liam Cooper is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, not just footballer wise, generally as a human being. Did some work with him years ago, had time for everyone. No idea if he’s still fit enough to play or not though! 

[LCFCJohn]

I’m not sure what we do about the striker position. 
 

Those that have performed well in L1 this season (Ballard/Tolaj) will be out of our reach and unrealistic. I’m not seeing any stand out options in L2.

 

Abroad in Europe or elsewhere (unrealistic with those running the club) or a loan from a team higher up the pyramid?

 

I’d imagine loan and kick the can down the road is most likely.

[Tuna]

4 hours ago, RichardGearman said:

Tom Davies - CM (27)- sheff united - has had rotten luck with injuries

NO

[Sankey93]

1 hour ago, LCFCJohn said:

I’m not sure what we do about the striker position. 
 

Those that have performed well in L1 this season (Ballard/Tolaj) will be out of our reach and unrealistic. I’m not seeing any stand out options in L2.

 

Abroad in Europe or elsewhere (unrealistic with those running the club) or a loan from a team higher up the pyramid?

 

I’d imagine loan and kick the can down the road is most likely.

Yano what’s funny we actually need 2 new strikers we will have none in a few weeks which tbf isn’t a bad thing how bad the ones we’ve currently got! 

[County Fox]

12 hours ago, Sankey93 said:

Yano what’s funny we actually need 2 new strikers we will have none in a few weeks which tbf isn’t a bad thing how bad the ones we’ve currently got! 

Agreed, we need 2 maybe even 3 strikers for next season. If you think back to our last time in League One, we had Fryatt (32), Howard (15) and even Dickov (3) as a backup.

Between those players alone came 50 goals.

 

I would back Jake Evans to be that third striker next season and to score more than Dickov did in that season. However, I am a bit scared that we need to find a 30 goal a year striker next year. The 15 goal a year Howard type striker may come from a Free Transfer (lad from Blackpool) but a 30 goal a year striker (lets even say 25 goals plus) is going to cost us.

 

If we have 'any' money available for transfers this summer, the bulk of this will go on one of the strikers. 

Edited 20 April by County Fox

[LCFCCKEANO]

If we can spend a little I’d like Webster from Burton, Tickle from Wigan and Tolaj from Plymouth, and look at Cozier-Duberry either on loan or permanent too 

[LCFCCKEANO]

16 hours ago, LCFCJohn said:

I’m not sure what we do about the striker position. 
 

Those that have performed well in L1 this season (Ballard/Tolaj) will be out of our reach and unrealistic. I’m not seeing any stand out options in L2.

 

Abroad in Europe or elsewhere (unrealistic with those running the club) or a loan from a team higher up the pyramid?

 

I’d imagine loan and kick the can down the road is most likely.

Think we have every chance of a top L1 striker. Despite our mess we are probably still just as attractive as lower mid table champ sides if not moreso, as if we can course correct they could be a key player for a top end championship side in a year or two without needing to move twice

 

Edit- Do understand the course correction isn’t likely from our perspective but from an outsider it may mean they choose us over a Portsmouth or Charlton

Edited 20 April by LCFCCKEANO

[kingfox]

2 hours ago, County Fox said:

Agreed, we need 2 maybe even 3 strikers for next season. If you think back to our last time in League One, we had Fryatt (32), Howard (15) and even Dickov (3) as a backup.

Between those players alone came 50 goals.

 

I would back Jake Evans to be that third striker next season and to score more than Dickov did in that season. However, I am a bit scared that we need to find a 30 goal a year striker next year. The 15 goal a year Howard type striker may come from a Free Transfer (lad from Blackpool) but a 30 goal a year striker (lets even say 25 goals plus) is going to cost us.

 

If we have 'any' money available for transfers this summer, the bulk of this will go on one of the strikers. 

Looking at League 1 this season, you potentially might not need a 30+ goalscorer next season. Of the teams in the top six, Wootton at Stockport is the only one currently near 20 goals. 
 

Teams like Lincoln and Cardiff have managed to spread the goals around.

 

In the summer, both Ballard and Tolaj might get picked off by Championship clubs, looking at strikers like Jayden Wareham and Ashley Fletcher might be our best bet.