Leicester City transfer hopes may be scuppered as Roberto Martinez warns against summer 'gamble'

The winter World Cup could impact transfers at Leicester City with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez recommending his stars do not change clubs so close to a big tournament.

Belgium are one of the favourites for glory at the World Cup in Qatar, which starts in November. With the tournament coming just four months into the new campaign, Martinez is concerned that players who transfer this summer may not have found their form as they go through adjustment periods.

This could have a particular impact on City, who are said to be highly interested in Club Brugge attacker Charles De Ketelaere. The 21-year-old has 18 goals and nine assists for the Belgian champions across all competitions this season, and has been linked with a £30million move to the King Power Stadium.

His performances domestically have earned him six caps for Martinez’s side and he has been called up to their squad for the Nations League games this summer. He is joined in the squad by City trio Youri Tielemans, Timothy Castagne, and Dennis Praet.

The World Cup final will be played just before Christmas, and Martinez believes it would be better for the Belgium-based players in his squad to move from January onwards. He said: “I hope that not too many Red Devils will change clubs.

“Every transfer needs an adjustment period and creates uncertainty. I am concerned about that. Do you have to take that gamble just before a World Cup? Because you don’t want to risk your place in such a big tournament. And you can still go abroad after the World Cup.”

De Ketelaere has mostly played as a striker or number 10 for Club Brugge this season, prompting debate as to where he might fit in at City. Brendan Rodgers already has a strong group of strikers in Jamie Vardy, Kelechi