Blackpool striker Jerry Yates is being linked with a return to the Championship, with recently relegated Leicester City reportedly interested in the 26-year-old forward according to Football Insider.
Numerous clubs are said to be interested in signing the 26-year-old, with the forward’s performances last season drawing interest from the Scottish top flight, as well as other clubs around the Championship, with Rangers and Watford both previously linked to the Seasiders star.
The report by Football Insider states that the Foxes are preparing to make a move to sign Yates, with the club beginning preparations for next season in the Championship after their nine-year stay in the Premier League, which they famously won in the 2015/16 campaign, came to an end.
The same report goes on to state that Blackpool have already rejected a bid of £2.5 million, but does not go on to name the club whose bid was rebuffed. It is thought that the Seasiders are holding out, as they expect to receive between £3-4 million for their talented forward. Yates is under contract with the club until 2024, but the club do hold an option to extend that by a further year.
Yates was a standout performer for the club in the Championship last season despite their relegation to League One as he scored 14 goals in the second division and Leicester see him as someone who can improve their forward line, with doubts surrounding the futures of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho following Leicester’s relegation.
However, the Foxes will surely face competition for the former Rotherham man’s signature, with it being reported that Scottish side Rangers observed Yates as his Blackpool side won against Preston North End during last season.
The Englishman is naturally a centre forward, but can also play out on the flank, with a contribution of eight goals in his career when appearing on the wing.
Yates joined Blackpool from Rotherham in July 2020 and has featured 139 times for the Seasiders since arriving, during that time he has scored 46 goals and contributed 18 assists throughout his time with the side. Yates will most likely be keen on a Championship move once again after he will surely have developed a taste for goalscoring form at that level last season.
Writer’s View
The forward is certainly at least Championship level quality with his form in the second tier and the interest he has drawn from clubs in the division shows it. With that being said, it remains to be seen if he could help Leicester achieve their goals, their ambitions next season will certainly be loftier than he is used to at Blackpool. The money side of it is not likely to be an issue in securing his signature, with players such as James Maddison expected to make a big move for a Premier League return. Yates will have big boots to fill if he is to be Jamie Vardy’s replacement though.
