Manchester United reportedly remain interested in two Leicester City stars and their manager for the next Premier League season. More than one sale is highly unlikely.
According to Manchester Evening News – based on reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes – the Red Devils are planning a raid on the King Power outlet. The Manchester-based club are in for both Caglar Soyuncu and Youri Tielemans.
This is of course on top of reports linking Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers to Old Trafford at the end of the season. Two LCFC players and the manager are now linked.
Let us go through each link in turn and explore how likely each transfer would be and who the East Midlands outfit could bring in to replace the individuals should United succeed in their aim. Needless to say, Leicester would not sell both stars and cede their manager to the same club.
Leicester City’s Turkish ‘slabhead’
Cags joined the King Power side under Claude Puel. Brought in to eventually replace Harry Maguire, the player quickly went from strength to strength, and in the previous two seasons became one of the most consistent defenders in the league.
However, in the absence of Jonny Evans or Wesley Fofana, Soyuncu has failed to offer that leadership and composure needed to maintain a strong defensive line. The experienced centre-back has performed well, but not at his best for some time.
Statistically, Soyuncu has been critical to Leicester this season. Starting every league match, partnered with several other defenders, and placed at the core of defence in the absence of our other stars. According to Sofascore, the Turkish international has made 4.9 clearances per game.
Imagine taking those numbers out of the team and playing a backline composed of Jannik Vestergaard, Daniel Amartey, and Evans. Vestergaard is far weaker and less risk aware than Cags, who – in making so many clearances – has prevented a plethora of chances.
It is exceedingly unlikely that the Foxes will consider selling the defender until they have sorted out their centre-back woes. With Evans less consistently fit, the Danish international lacking in quality, and the U23 options not yet ready, a new centre-back would be needed before selling.
For example, Leicester City were linked with James Tarkowski, Stefen de Vrij, and even Chris Richards. I would expect an experienced centre-back to be brought in if Soyuncu were ever to leave.
On top of the potential price – I could not imagine the Foxes wanting less than £40m – the need to bring in a defender and his importance to the side makes any sale to any club unlikely. Especially to rivals in the league.
The Starman
It is no surprise that Youri ‘Starman’ Tielemans is linked to almost every major club in Europe. The Belgian international is undeniably one of the best midfielders in Europe, and offers so much to Rodgers’ team.
Whenever fit, the still young midfielder starts every game in the league, and any important match will see the Starman feature at some point. From commanding a presence to no-look passes and ball retention, Tielemans is the perfect player.
It is also not new news that the Belgian is considering leaving the King Power next season. It is not a financial question, but one as to whether the rest of the team is on his level. Unfortunately, it looks unlikely Rodgers will lead Leicester to a UCL spot, and unlikely the team is ready for his quality.
As such, the sale of the Starman is more likely than you may think. However, it depends on results and progression in competitions. Should the gaffer guide us to cup victories or a UEL final, that might just be enough to convince our Belgian international to sign a new deal.
Otherwise, LCFC will sell next season, though they will demand a hefty fee. Upwards of £50-60m will be demanded at minimum, with an initial demand of around £80m more likely. This is the sticking point of the move: are the Red Devils ready to pay such a price or not. I do not think they are.
The boss
Brendan Rodgers has led the East Midlands outfit well for some time now. He guided us to two near fifth place finishes just outside the UCL spots, though they could have achieved that coveted fourth spot if one result in either season went the Foxes way.
Rodgers’ style is that of pressure and possession recycling: he wants the team to maintain the ball and keep pushing it in and out of the final third before creating a killer chance. In recent matches, the gaffer has been unable to adopt this style, as players critical to that style are out of form.
The Northern Irishman is popular because of that style and the results he has achieved with the Foxes. Remember, he has won us the FA Cup and Community Shield on top of consistent fifth place finishes.
The board are unlikely to sanction any move for the gaffer unless either Manchester United pay a lot to get him out of contract, or results worsen further, and the King Power side find themselves outside of European competition.
To summarise, Tielemans is the most likely of the three, with Soyuncu essentially impossible if the Starman were to leave, whereas Rodgers would only be allowed to leave for a lot of money. Only one would go to the same rival.