Leicester City, the current front-runners in the Championship, could find themselves in a tight spot this summer due to potential financial irregularities, as reported by the Telegraph. Despite appearing to navigate recent transfer windows with savvy, selling key figures like James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, and Timothy Castagne for significant profits, the club’s financial management is under the microscope.
The sales generated considerable income, which was partly reinvested in acquiring talents such as Conor Coady and Harry Winks. However, their activity cooled down by January, raising eyebrows concerning their financial strategy.
EFL’s Concerns Over Leicester City’s Financial Practices
At first glance, Leicester’s financial standing seems robust, especially following their profitable transactions. Nonetheless, the EFL has expressed concerns over potential breaches in their profitability and sustainability guidelines for the current season. Efforts to have Leicester submit a detailed business plan were ultimately fruitless, leading to rumors of a possible points deduction in the forthcoming season.
The concept of points deduction is not unheard of, with Everton facing a similar penalty this season—initially ten points, later reduced to six—and Nottingham Forest also on the radar for possible deductions.
Leicester City acknowledges the necessity to amass “significant” funds by June’s end to ensure financial equilibrium and stave off any penalties. This acknowledgement hints at a proactive approach to mitigating financial concerns through strategic player sales.
Potential Departures from King Power Stadium
Among those speculated to be on the exit list is Australian defender Harry Souttar, who, despite limited appearances this season, seems peripheral to manager Enzo Maresca’s plans. Luke Thomas, with a considerable contract duration remaining, could also command a substantial fee on the market.
Loan players Victor Kristiansen and Boubakary Soumare present another avenue for generating revenue, alongside goalkeepers Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen, who are likely deemed expendable as the summer transfer window approaches.
Leicester City’s strategy in the coming months will be closely watched, as they navigate financial scrutiny while aiming to maintain their competitive edge on the field.
