Leicester City are closing in on an agreement with Northampton Town to loan out forward Jake Evans.
The winger has had limited involvement with the Foxes’ first team this season, with multiple matchday squad appearances, but has yet to play a single minute of senior football this campaign under the now-sacked Marti Cifuentes.
Cobblers Eye Swoop
According to Pete O’Rourke, Northampton Town are in advanced talks with Leicester over the 17-year-old, with a move to Sixfields giving the England youth international his first taste of regular senior football.
Evans featured four times last season as part of their Premier League relegation campaign, playing a total of 21 minutes while also featuring regularly for their academy teams in the Premier League 2 and Under-18s league.
Northampton, led by Kevin Nolan, have been in the market for a new attacking option following the loss of Ethan Wheatley following his recall back to Manchester United amid links to Bradford City, which have since gone cold.
Goals have been a major concern for the Cobblers, with only bottom-placed Port Vale scoring fewer across the League One season, and only four players, including the departed Wheatley, scoring more than once this campaign in the third tier.
Is It The Right Move?
For Leicester City, this is the latest sign that Jake Evans is progressing well, with a League One side willing to take a risk on a raw talent like the 17-year-old.
With stars like Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu in the side, it is hard for a player like Evans to get regular first-team action in his preferred wider role, meaning a loan spell is the best way to test his current level.
However, for Northampton Town, they are taking a big risk by going for the forward amid their struggles.
While they need to find some sort of spark to get some goals on the board, taking a gamble on an unproven prospect is a very risky move, especially when their strikers have failed to deliver.
Evans is a versatile player and can fill in up front, but with relegation a very distinct possibility if they cannot improve their record, it does not feel like the right move unless complemented with a more prolific talisman.
Nevertheless, this is a great opportunity for Evans to prove his worth in a very competitive division in League One, and putting up a good display could give food for thought for whoever is next to take the hotseat at the King Power Stadium.