Could Russell Martin’s sneaky Foxes hijack a deal from one of his former rivals?

EFL Championship club Leicester City is reported to have turned their interest towards former Cavalry FC striker and one-time CanMNT callup Aribim Pepple, according to a report by the Daily Mail on Sunday. The shift comes after the striker Martin initially set his eyes on, Pepple’s Plymouth Argyle teammate Laurent Tolaj, was signed by fellow Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday.

Pepple first made his name in the Canadian Premier League in 2019, signing with the Calgary-based club as a 16-year-old. He returned to the club in 2022, sealing a move to then-Championship side Luton Town that same year after scoring six goals in eight appearances.

He has since found his feet with League One’s Plymouth Argyle, scoring 16 goals in 35 matches after joining the club in the July 2025. He and Tolaj, who had 17 goals in 29 league matches last season, were one of the deadliest strike partnerships in League One.

That form was also enough for Pepple to earn his first Canadian men’s national team call-up, being named to Jesse Marsch’s March 2026 squad against Iceland and Tunisia with injuries to several CanMNT regulars leaving spots open.

Courtesy: Canada Soccer

Leicester’s interest renews rumours of a Plymouth exit for Pepple, after Portsmouth eyed up a move for the Canadian striker, according to Hampshire outlet The News.

The mid-July report added that Pepple could also be on the shortlist of fellow Championship clubs Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United, the latter of which he trialed with in 2020, as well as Danish Superliga champions AGF.

If Pepple joins Pompey, it could add another streak to England’s already ferocious South Coast Derby, contested by Portsmouth and Southampton.

The Saints, prior to the World Cup, completed a deal to make Canada striker Cyle Larin’s loan from Mallorca permanent after the ‘Brampton Bagsman’ had nine goals and an assist in his first 20 matches in England.

Courtesy: Southampton FC

Related Read: Everyone doubted Canada’s Cyle Larin but himself and CanMNT teammates: ‘I did it again and I’ll keep doing it’

According to the report, Pompey are believed to be close to finalizing a €6 million move for UD Almería frontman Marko Milanovic (no connection to AFC Toronto head coach Marko Milanovic) which could complicate matters for Pepple.

But, with multiple clubs circling in the waters, there could still more to add to the tale.