Leicester City midfielder Dennis Praet has admitted he would love a return to Italy this summer, when he becomes a free agent.
The Belgian midfielder has been speaking to Het Nieuwsblad about his plans for the summer when he becomes a free agent at the end of his contract with the Foxes.
He’s been with Leicester since a €19.2m move from Sampdoria in August 2019 but has endured something of a frustrating five year spell at the club.
That’s largely been down to injuries, which have seen him limited to 107 appearances despite his half decade with them.
Indeed, those injuries appeared to have put something of an end to his time with the club, with them electing to send him out on loan back to Italy with Torino for the 2021/22 season.
He returned from that loan spell and managed 27 appearances for Leicester last season before adding to that tally this season playing a largely substitute role under Enzo Maresca in the Championship.
It’s because of that he’ll be leaving on a free in the summer when his contract comes to an end and while he’s not decided anything yet, Italy is very much at the forefront of his mind.
“I’m at the end of my contract and ready for something new,” he said.
“I am now 29 and physically at the peak of my career. I definitely want to become important somewhere again, so that I can find the fun in the game again.
“Fortunately, there are already a number of things going on, so I am quite relaxed. I just have to be a little more patient. It is logical that some clubs do not yet know their budgets.
“Well, it’s true that Italy will always have the edge. I played three years at Sampdoria and one year at Torino and those were my best years abroad. Tactical football in Italy also appeals to me enormously.
“We also had an Italian coach this season with Enzo Maresca and he made an impression. Especially on the English players. They said they had never learned so much. Apart from that, life in Italy is also great, and I speak the language.
“The focus now is on finding the right club. I am realistic enough to realize that a top four team from a top competition will not suddenly come and get me. But if I end up at a nice mid-range club where I can become a pioneer: that’s also good. And if it is in a location where it is fun for my family to stay, then that is a bonus.”
