Ex-Leicester man escaped transfer via backdoor; Vestergaard drop explained

A former long-time Leicester City player reportedly managed to evade making an unwanted transfer. The way he undertook this rather peculiar decision was to apparently escape through the backdoor. But what made Daniel Amartey, who has been described as "strange", feel the need to run? Why did the ex-Foxes defender's fight or flight kick in?

Meanwhile, there is a pressing matter for LCFC supporters to discuss. Denmark international Jannik Vestergaard was dropped for the first time in a year as the King Power club lost to Midlands rivals Aston Villa. Leicester manager Steve Cooper did attempt to justify his decision to replace Vestergaard with Caleb Okoli. Is the Italian's inclusion justifiable after catching the Blue Army's eye due to determination?

Caleb Okoli in for Jannik Vestergaard at Leicester City?

Cooper has a big conundrum to resolve: starting Vestergaard or Okoli versus Crystal Palace on Saturday at Selhurst Park. The one-time Nottingham Forest gaffer played the profile card when asked of Okoli's entry into the City lineup. The 'differing attributes' of the Vicenza-born man were cited; his pace did actually limit deadly Villan Ollie Watkins.

The 23-year-old, who received his maiden call-up for Italy a week or so ago, was lauded for his combative efforts by Foxes of Leicester writer professor Robert Garner. However, Garner also noted that Okoli occasionally appeared uncomfortable when in possession of the ball.

Whilst on duty with his nation, Vestergaard was quizzed on his absence from the Leicester XI. The Dane was particularly diplomatic and intelligent with his response. The ex-Saint admitted that competition for places 'naturally' means his boss has awkward many choices such as this to make.

I am sure that Cooper has considered a third possibility too: a three-man defence. He did use a similar formation at Forest now and again. Of course, Foxes management staff won't want to overly complicate things, as FoL outlined recently. Yet defensive stability is an issue with LCFC totally penetrable at present.

What's going on with old Fox Daniel Amartey?

Amartey was a bit of a low-key character at the King Power during his eight-year stint. He was certainly a squad player, but one with a mild cult status nonetheless. The 29-year-old left Leicestershire last year to join Turkish team Beşiktaş.

But, after recent claims, Amartey has now been labelled a "strange person". Why the accusations? Well, Amartey supposedly left via a backdoor so to avoid signing elsewhere:

"Former Leicester City midfielder Daniel Amartey has been accused of doing a runner by current club Besiktas to avoid being sold.

The 2016 Premier League winner denies disappearing from a training ground back exit after the Istanbul club branded him “a strange person” having seen seven potential moves collapse - including one to Saudi Arabia.

But Amartey said of the accusations: "They are completely untrue. Nothing like that happened - those allegations should be disregarded."

That came after Besiktas spokesman Huseyin Yucel said: "Amartey is a strange person. We made an agreement with a team from Saudi Arabia, but he did not get on the plane. We agreed [a deal] with Eyupspor, but he escaped through the back door of our facilities.

"He said, 'I will go to Germany or England'. When he was told the transfer window is closed, he said, 'How will it close?'""