Former Bristol City loanee in £25m move to Newcastle United as defender released by Leicester City

Leicester City have terminated the contract of their Croatian centre-back Filip Benković.

With six months remaining on his deal, the Foxes opted to cut short his stay at the King Power Arena Early.

Benković is now free to discuss with other clubs a possible move both inside and outside of the January transfer window.

Wished well by the club which signed him back in August 2018 for a reported £13m, they said: “The Club would like to place on record its thanks to Filip for his professionalism and dedication during his time in Leicester – an experience we hope he can build on during his future career. He begins the next chapter with the very best wishes of everyone at Leicester City.”

The six foot four centre-back failed to make a breakthrough in the Midlands, making just two senior appearances in the Cup’s and was loaned out to City, as well as Celtic and Severnside rivals Cardiff City.

The 24-year-old was a loanee at Ashton Gate from January 2020 to the end of the extended 2019/20 season.

With no return date for Nathan Baker set after two head injuries this season, as well as an injury issue for George Tanner, Benković could act as cover, given his experience.

City do have a number of options in the role and as has been the theme this season, this is a position that they may want to continue to develop youngsters in.

Tomas Kalas is one of the first names on the team sheet whilst the likes of Cameron Pring, Rob Atkinson and Zak Vyner have also played there.

Youngsters like Ryley Towler, who has been converted into a defender, as well as Robbie Cundy, are other options in this role.

They do also have Taylor Moore out on loan to heart of Midlothian but he is expected to stay in Edinburgh for the remainder of the season.

Mawson set to stay with Fulham

Whilst one former City’s defender’s future may be clearer, another one of their ex-loanees Alfie Mawson is stuck in a transfer limbo.

Mawson is a fringe player at Fulham, who play the Robins at Craven Cottage on Saturday in the Championship after a 1-0 win at Ashton Gate last week.

The 27-year-old has made just eight appearances in all competitions and didn’t make a return to B3 in their last match.

League rivals Birmingham City are reportedly interested but Mawson is being kept at the West London club in the case of any Covid set-backs in the remainder of the transfer window.

Chris Wood joins Newcastle United

He’s played for a few clubs since and has made a good career out of being a top-end Championship striker turned into a lower-half Premier League forward, but can you remember Chris Wood being on loan at City?

Sent out on loan by West Brom at the time, Wood spent the second half of the 2011/12 season playing under Derek McInnes, where he was deployed as a winger at times. He netted three goals in 19 appearances, helping them to Championship survival.

The New Zealand international has been on the move, joining Newcastle United from Burnley after his release was activated.