Exclusive: Southampton now want to beat Leicester to signing

Southampton are set to do battle with Leicester City for the signature of Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis, sources have told Football Insider.

The Foxes have made a bid of around £23million and are hopeful of securing the 24-year-old’s signature before the 30 August transfer deadline.

But fellow promoted side Southampton have now registered their interest in Ioannidis, joining the race for the Greece international forward.

Ipswich Town made a bid earlier in the window, while Lazio and Sporting CP are also admirers of the striker’s talents.

Ioannidis enjoyed his most prolific season in the 2023-24 campaign as Panathinaikos finished fourth in the Greek Super League.

Southampton join Ioannidis race after £23m Leicester bid

He notched 23 goals and nine assists in 44 games across all competitions, starting in 34 of those outings and helping his side win the Greek Cup.

The two-footed 24-year-old is under contract with the Athens-based club until June 2027 after signing an extension in May 2023.

Ioannidis has turned out 11 times for Greece’s national side, scoring twice.

Southampton are still in the hunt for striking reinforcements despite moving for Ben Brereton Diaz earlier in the summer window.

The Saints, who have made eight first-team signings this summer, start life back in the Premier League with an away clash against Newcastle on Saturday (17 August).

Leicester start the Steve Cooper era at home against Tottenham next week (19 August) and must contend with injuries to strikers Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka in the opening stages of the new season.

In other news, Saints fans stunned by new behind-the-scenes development.

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