Expected Leicester City transfer exodus stalled as Bilal El Khannouss valuation revealed
The latest on Leicester City sales, with only three players departing the club so far this summer, despite 13 leaving on frees, permanently, or on loan two years ago
With Jamie Vardy saying goodbye after 13 years at Leicester City, it feels like the club should be stepping into a new era. But right now, everything’s pretty much the same in the squad.
Aside from their number nine’s exit, there have been no significant changes to the playing staff. In fact, with no signings and no sales, there’s no side in the Championship that looks as similar to last season as City.
Falling into the Championship will see City’s sponsorship and TV revenue drop significantly, and so, as far as Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are concerned, they will need to plug the gaps by selling players for cash boosts, and by cutting their wage bill.
This year, Vardy and back-up goalkeepers Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen have left, but nobody else.
Financially, 13 exits may not be required this time because City’s wage bill is not starting at such a high point. But they certainly need more than three departures.
So where could the sales, and therefore the money, come from?
City geared up to potentially sell Mads Hermansen, knowing they could make a significant PSR profit on the Danish goalkeeper, signed for only £6.5m two seasons ago. They let him undergo surgery on his groin a month before the season’s end so that he would be fit in pre-season, avoiding the possibility of his recovery hindering a transfer.
West Ham have been linked, but Chelsea, who were keen last summer, have an abundance of goalkeepers and do not actively seem to be seeking a new number one.
Bilal El Khannouss is another who could generate a decent profit for City, having proven he’s good enough to play in the Premier League with his showings last season.
There has been speculation that the Moroccan could be available for around £21m, but it’s understood it would take offers of closer to £30m for City to part with the 21-year-old.
There have been enquiries but no bids over Wilfred Ndidi, but he will be a contender to go. Meanwhile, Rangers’ interest in Conor Coady has gone quiet, with no advancements made from where the situation was two weeks ago.
Wout Faes, linked away since January, is not expected to stay, but with two years remaining on his deal, City are in a strong position to ask for a decent fee.
