Van Nistelrooy considers swoop for ex-Arsenal wonderkid who turned down Man Utd

Leicester City are bidding to seal an immediate return to the Premier League after their dismal season saw them relegated back to the Championship, with Ruud van Nistelrooy unable to halt their slide

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has targeted a move for ex-Arsenal wonderkid Sam Greenwood as he looks to secure an immediate return to the Premier League with the Foxes.

The Manchester United legend was appointed by Leicester at the end of 2024 to replace Steve Cooper but could not prevent their relegation back to the second tier as they were sent down in April.

Van Nistelrooy admitted he was unsure if he would stay on for their rebuild in the Championship but said he was hopeful of having a conversation about his future. With no news incoming, it appears the Dutchman has been backed to oversee their promotion bid and he has reportedly lined up his first transfer.

According to the Mail, the Foxes are eyeing up Greenwood, who featured for Arsenal's youth sides before joining Leeds United in 2020.

The 23-year-old forward spent last season on loan with Preston as he scored seven goals and assisted three and Leicester are said to see him as a good fit for their squad in the Championship.

Greenwood's opportunities will be limited at Leeds after Daniel Farke's men secured promotion to the Premier League, so a move to Leicester could be ideal to continue his progression.

The report adds that Sunderland - Greenwood's hometown club where he started his career - are also keen on a move. Manager Regis Le Bris will have to secure some bargain deals with the club having limited funds for transfers.

Greenwood joined Arsenal in 2018 - having rejected Manchester United in favour of a move to the Emirates - but never made a senior appearance for the Gunners and joined Leeds two years later as Marcelo Bielsa snapped him up.

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He played a total of 32 games in the Premier League for the Whites, socring once, before being loaned to Middlesbrough in 2023-24.

Greenwood netted five times for Boro, playing 38 times as he was loaned out again to Preston last season.

Van Nistelrooy will be keen to have confirmation he is the man Leicester want to lead their revival after admitting he was in the dark about his future following the club's last Premier League game of the campaign.

"I would like to talk and that's the first thing that needs to happen," he told the BBC "It's been silent and it's something towards the end of the season, get things done with and then I expect to hear something.

"It's important to start talking and to see how we look into the future. It's what you need to find out. So far there hasn't been any conversation but I'm waiting for that to happen."