Leicester City's pursuit of their own former goalkeeper Mads Hermansen during the January 2026 transfer window was a genuine, high-stakes attempt to salvage a season spiralling toward a second consecutive relegation battle. Following the mid-season dismissal of Marti Cifuentes, the Foxes sought a transformative presence to stabilise a shaky backline. Yet the move died on the vine, as they say. But why?
talkSPORT weigh in on the Leicester City transfer that never was
Alex Crook of talkSPORT first broke the news of the 'reunion' attempt. He noted that LCFC were 'bracing for a busy deadline' and identified the Dane as a primary, low-cost loan target.
#LCFC are considering a move to bring back #WHUFC goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. Not the only Championship club interested.
— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) February 1, 2026
The move ultimately collapsed because West Ham United refused to blink. Despite Hermansen being 'desperate for game-time' to protect his World Cup spot with Denmark, the Hammers blocked the exit. The Hammers are also aware that Alphonse Areola has an error in him.
The Guardian's view
Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian reported that West Ham were 'hesitant to do a deal' without a guaranteed replacement, particularly after a proposed swap for Tottenham Hotspur stopper Antonin Kinsky failed to materialise. The North London club effectively chose to keep Hermansen as insurance for the occasionally iffy Areola rather than facilitate his return to the East Midlands side.
Leicester Mercury comment
Leicester's most local expert, Jordan Blackwell of Leicestershire Live, also offered insig. He observed that while the link was 'quite the surprise' given the 25-year-old's £20million departure just months prior, it reflected the club’s desperate need for 'spine reinforcements'.
Blackwell opined that as the deadline neared, the proposed deal became a 'formula that didn't work' for the parent club. With no breakthrough, the Foxes shifted focus, leaving Hermansen on the London Stadium bench. City must now rely on Jakub Stolarczyk to imporve, and on their current goalkeeping unit for backup.