The atmospheric corridors of the famous King Power Stadium are probably echoing with the frantic, hushed tones of a boardroom under siege. As Leicester City grapple with the harsh reality of life without Premier League football (or possibly no EFL Championship football) the financial walls are reportedly closing in. The situation is increasingly desperate; LCFC is no longer just fighting for points - but for its very structural integrity. With the lucrative TV revenues of the top flight now a fading memory, and PSR striking, the squad is being viewed through the cold lens of a balance sheet rather than preservation.
Which Leicester City stars could be relinquished or not signed?
Chief among the concerns is the potential departure of Jordan James; whose tenure appears increasingly untenable in the current climate. However, the true 'Margin Call' moment for the Foxes lies in the potential sale of their prized assets.
In the titular 2011 film, a firm realise its mortgage-backed securities are worthless and begins a ruthless "fire sale" before the market collapses. Leicester finds itself in a hauntingly similar position although with valid assets. A 'sell it all, and sell it now before value depreciates further' is a conceivable King Power policy.
Regarding the 'permanents', City's 'prized assets' might be sold. They include ballers such as Abdul Fatawu, Ben Nelson and Jeremy Monga. The trio who would likely fetch some of the biggest profits (with potentially valuable Foxes like Harry Winks' contracts expiring) - and City may need to sell all three to stay afloat.
"Closer to home, City’s prized assets may have to be sold. Abdul Fatawu, Ben Nelson and Jeremy Monga are the trio who would likely fetch the biggest profits and City may need to sell all three."Leicester Mercury (Premium)
According to current Transfermarkt data, Fatawu commands a significant €20million valuation. Though he'll feasibly be worth three or four times that amount one day! Meanwhile teenage sensation Jeremy Monga is rated at €10m.
Again, the 16-year-old could eventually quintuple that to €100m no sweat at Real Madrid. Adding the promising Ben Nelson, valued at a miserly and surely mistaken €600,000, and the East Midlanders sits on a €30.6m lifeline.
A distressing forecast
If Leicester are ultimately relegated to EFL League One, however, the situation becomes entirely graver altogether. At that level, the leverage shifts entirely to the buyers. As with the traders in Margin Call, the club may have to 'liquidate their positions' (sell off anything of worth) regardless of the emotional or competitive cost.
To lose one of these stars would be a blow; all three departing would be the surgical removal of the club's future. KPS is now a shop window!