Transfer Centre

Claudio Ranieri on lookout for new striker

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 21 January 2016

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri reveals that he is "very confident" of bringing in a new striker during the January transfer window.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that he is looking to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window.

The Foxes are among the league's highest scorers so far this season and also boast 15-goal Jamie Vardy in their ranks, although the England international has failed to score in his last six league games.

The only other two strikers currently at Ranieri's disposal are Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa after Andrej Kramaric was allowed to join Hoffenheim on loan until the end of the season.

"We have our eyes open. If there is a good opportunity for us, we are ready. Now I want another attacking player - a striker. I am very confident. My staff is fabulous, every day they are working, because when I ask about something they are ready. I'd like to do my business as soon as possible," Ranieri told reporters.

"Andrej wasn't the main striker, he was more behind Vardy. But behind Vardy I prefer Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki, because Ulloa covers the ball very well, he's a fighter, and Okazaki is another who presses everybody every second.

"Kramaric has fantastic skill but sometimes he rests and recovers. This team can't recover, they need to run, run, run. When I say we are building a good team, I would like to have two players for each position, so when I change, you don't see the difference. Kramaric didn't play, I have Ulloa, Okazaki and Vardy so I need one more I can change so the result is the same, I will have good strikers on the pitch."

Leicester will host Stoke City on Saturday knowing that a win will take them top of the Premier League for 24 hours at least.