Kasper Schmeichel, a goalkeeper for Leicester City, is expected to sign with OGC Nice of France this summer.
Following a mutual agreement, the 35-year-old international from Denmark will have a medical test with the Ligue 1 team within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The manager of Leicester, Brendan Rodgers, said over the weekend that Schmeichel would be free to leave the King Power Stadium after 11 years if he found a new team.
With 479 appearances for Leicester City since joining the team in 2011, Schmeichel is currently third on the list of the Foxes’ all-time appearances.
After Wes Morgan retired last summer, he was appointed permanent captain.
When the Foxes won the Championship and promotion in 2013/14, the Premier League championship in 2015/16, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield in 2021, Schmeichel, the club captain, was consistent.
Aaron Ramsey, a former midfielder for Arsenal, Juventus, and Rangers who relocated to the south of France after his Juventus contract was broken up, will be Schmeichel’s inspiration to join the club.
The initial assertion that Leicester City will not be paid for the player has been refuted by sources in France that a deal of approximately €1 million plus bonuses has been completed.
Following Schmeichel’s exclusion from Sunday’s friendly match between Leicester and Sevilla, Rodgers said it was extremely likely he would leave before the start of the Premier League season: ‘Absolutely (it is a possibility Schmeichel may not start the season with Leicester City)’, Rodgers explained.
‘Nobody here is obligated to play. For me, he has been a fantastic player during my time here. He has excelled for the club over a long period. However, you’re constantly looking ahead and trying to figure out how the team can get better.’
After bringing in defender Mattia Viti from Empoli, Nice, who receives advice from former Crystal Palace athletic director Iain Moody, is aiming to make some bold acquisitions.
They also want to recruit a winger and are interested in free agent former Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
Danny Ward, a player from Wales, is a reserve for Leicester and is seen as Kasper Schmeichel’s successor.
Rodgers is willing to sell some members of his team to strengthen the team.
The rumors linking James Maddison, Wesley Fofana, Harvey Barnes, and Youri Tielemans to the Leicester exit door have been exacerbated by the Foxes’ failure to sign any player over the summer, and news of Schmeichel’s impending departure comes amid those rumors.
He has, however, rejected potential offers from Chelsea and Newcastle United for Wesley Fofana and James Maddison, respectively.
After their proposal for Fofana was rejected, Chelsea may pursue their tentative interest in Jannick Vestergaard’s center-back partner Caglar Soyuncu from Fulham.
Also still pending is an official offer for midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester.
