Yohan Benalouane to Leicester City: Foxes add second signing of the day with Tunisia defender
Foxes confirm second deal of the day as Claudio Ranieri starts to build for the new Premier League campaign
Leicester City have sealed the £5.6m transfer of Atalanta defender Yohan Benalouane just hours after signing N'Golo Kante from Caen.
French-born Tunisian international Benalouane, who made 27 Serie A appearances last season, joins the Foxes on a four-year deal and will wear the no. 29 shirt at the King Power Stadium.
The 28-year-old confirmed to members of the Italian media over the weekend that Atalanta had received an offer they couldn't refuse from the Premier League outfit. Kante joined for the same fee this afternoon after Leicester beat off interest from Marseille.
"I couldn't say anything before everything was over," Benalouane is quoted as saying.
"I left the training camp in tears on Friday, because I really care for everyone. I didn't want to leave Atalanta and would gladly have stayed, but an offer of €8m is a lot for a club like Atalanta."
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has been busy in recent weeks trying to add some strength to his squad after the disheartening loss of Esteban Cambiasso in July. The Italian is believed to still be looking for a goalkeeper, another central midfielder and an attacker.
Following the 3-2 comeback victory over Birmingham City on Saturday, ensuring Leicester remained unbeaten in pre-season, Ranieri confirmed: "We are talking with (good players like) Kante. I am waiting and I am very confident. He is a good player. I hope he is here very soon."
Goals from Robert Huth, Danny Drinkwater and new £7m signing Shinji Okazaki meant the Foxes clawed back a two-goal first-half deficit at St Andrews.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies