The January transfer window is trudging along somewhat for Leicester City Football Club at the moment. While other English Football League Championship and Premier League sides make moves within an active market, the Foxes feel sluggish and hesitant over which players to sell, for how much and to whom. Yet simply pulling the trigger and doubling down or ensuring that the right deadwood is discarded is the most important factor here.
The King Power outfit did, however, manage to rid themselves of significant underperformer Wout Faes on Tuesday of this week (yesterday, as a matter of fact). Although, the struggling Belgium National Team representative has only been signed on loan by French Riviera team, AS Monaco. How fortunate for the centre back to land on his feet in one of the globe's most desirable locations.
That scenario transpired after Faes failed in England's top flight twice; sandwiched in between one victorious and decent tier two showing under former LCFC head coach Enzo Maresca. Nonetheless, the defender won't be remembered particularly fondly on Filbert Way; if at all, to be honest. Evidently this is déjà vu time in Leicestershire once again: City bosses secured yet another 'option to buy', but not a 'full commitment'. So what's the deal with Faes' new deal?
Leicester City will be lucky to lose half of their investment on flop signing Wout Faes should he prove worthy of AS Monaco
Faes isn't a bad guy, neither is he a poor footballer. Not in either definitions of that word: now that he's living it up in Côte d'Azur. But the majority of the Blue Army are glad he's gone.
One error too many, coupled with an unpalatable nonchalance cost the 27-year-old respect in LE2. Though, now he has another set of supporters to please; that's the only way he'll be permanently signed:
"Monaco have also confirmed that they have an option to buy Faes in the summer and L’Equipe report that the transfer fee would be between €5m and €10m (between £4.3m and £8.7m).
Even the higher figure is less than the £15m City paid Reims for Faes back in 2022, but the smaller fee would still make City a profit, as far as Profit and Sustainability Rules are concerned."