Why Leicester may be forced to sell four star players

With the King Power club in it water over alleged breaches of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) which saw the club making significant losses over the last three seasons. Having challenged the Premier League and EFL governing bodies to ensure no action this season and winning, Enzo Maresca will still be forced to sell key players to make up some of the shortfall.

There are already six players who are out of contract come the summer window, and it is likely that many if not all of them will not get new contracts. That does mean there will be a massive sum of wages coming off the bill: that should mean we do not have to sell every high value player, so four key players are on the cards.

Leicester City players Maresca might sell

Leicester have several players in the prime of their careers, costing plenty in wages, and which command a high transfer fee. Of those, we shall identify which four should be sold to make financial wiggle room and prevent a transfer ban from crippling the club in its bid to either get promoted second time, or maintain a Premier League space.

1. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

‘KDH’ is perhaps our most valuable asset. An academy product, a goal-scoring midfielder, devoted to supporting the club. As one of the best midfielders in the Championship, Premier League teams are interested, and a small transfer battle could see the King Power club find a great source of funds. Of course, selling the star would be a loss to the club in many ways.

2. Harry Souttar

Despite my personal feeling that the Australian international is a great defender and should be at Leicester, it is clear he is not just ‘second team’: he is an outcast. Souttar should be sold to free up the wages, because he is in his prime, and will likely command a small transfer fee somewhere between £10m and £15m. A lack of game time will diminish returns.

3. James Justin

Having been out injured on multiple occasions across mutliple seasons, this Championshop campaign has been the first time the English fullback has had the time to shine. Justin will be sought after by Premier League clubs regardless of which division the Foxes end up in next season: big wages, a significant transfer fee, and space for Callum Doyle on a permanent perhaps. A smart move in my opinion.

4. The Goalkeepers

Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen: the two who had their chance to take the No.1 spot when Kasper Schmeichel departed Leicester City for Nice. Neither shone, although they were victims of a general malaise and poor management under Brendan Rodgers. Iversen is not a bad goalkeeper, and Ward is an experienced secondary. Their contracts both end in 2025, so it would be wise to get rid of both to free up wages, spaces, and allow Jakub Stolarczyk to be left competing with Mads Hermansen alone.

Enzo Maresca’s team have got to sell these four (five I suppose) players while many leave from expiring contracts to reduce the PSR gap and hopefully avoid a major transfer ban. If a ban or points deduction came into effect, and we still sold many and lost others, then the Foxes will be in much troublesome waters regardless of which division they are in.