Leicester City are poised to secure the services of right-back Woyo Coulibaly from Italian club Parma, marking their first signing of the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old French defender, who joined Parma from Le Havre in 2021, has been a consistent presence in their lineup, amassing 88 appearances and contributing one goal and six assists.
His impending arrival at the King Power Stadium is expected to bolster Leicester’s defensive options, especially in light of injuries to key players like Ricardo Pereira.
The move is reportedly in its final stages, with negotiations focusing on the finer details.
This transfer could have a domino effect, potentially facilitating the departure of Leicester’s 23-year-old center-back, Caleb Okoli.
Okoli, who joined the Foxes from Atalanta in July 2024 for a fee of €15 million, has made 12 appearances in 19 Premier League matches this season.
Despite his contributions, Leicester’s current relegation battle may influence decisions regarding his future.
Parma’s interest in Okoli is driven by their manager, Fabio Pecchia, who previously coached him at Cremonese during the 2021/22 season, leading the club to promotion to Serie A.
Pecchia views Okoli as a solution to Parma’s defensive challenges this season and is keen on reuniting with the player.
Okoli’s journey has been marked by steady progression. He joined Atalanta’s youth setup in 2015, later representing the club in the UEFA Youth League.
Loan spells at SPAL and Cremonese in Serie B helped him develop his game, and by the 2022/23 season, he had broken into Atalanta’s senior squad, making his Serie A debut in a 2–0 win over Sampdoria.
His performances earned him a loan move to Frosinone before Leicester secured his services on a five-year deal in July 2024.
Internationally, Okoli remains at a crossroads. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, he has represented Italy’s youth teams, including the U21s.
He was called up to the senior squad for UEFA Nations League matches in 2024 but did not feature, leaving the door open for Nigeria to vie for his allegiance.
As the January transfer window progresses, Leicester City’s defensive lineup may undergo significant changes, with Coulibaly’s anticipated arrival and Okoli’s potential departure being key developments to watch.
