Leicester require sales to avoid sanctions for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, with the impact of the club’s shock relegation laid bare in their latest accounts.
The Foxes have posted losses of £89.7m for the 2022/23 season, which followed financial figures of a club-record £92.5m loss in 2021/22. Given those figures account for the profits made from the big-name sales of Wesley Fofana (£75m) and James Maddison (£40m), it paints the picture of a club that must raise funds quickly to avoid large sanctions.
Enzo Maresca’s side is pushing for promotion from the Championship but is likely to need significant sales regardless of which division the Foxes find themselves in next term. We’ve looked at Leicester’s most saleable assets.
Foxes fire sale: Which Leicester players could be sold?
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was a transfer target for Premier League clubs in the January transfer window with the midfielder having proven to be a cut above the Championship.
The driving force in Leicester’s promotion push, he has been arguably the Player of the Season in the second tier with 11 goals and 13 assists from midfield. Leicester slapped a £40m valuation on the 25-year-old in the winter window, as clubs including Arsenal, Brighton, Brentford and Fulham circled.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s game by numbers vs. Norwich:
10 crosses
6/10 duels won
5 chances created (most)
3 shots (most)
1 assist
1 goalPremier League bound… 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/b3I81ytLVG
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 1, 2024
There is expected to be significant interest in Dewsbury-Hall again in the summer, regardless of which division the Foxes end up in in 2024/25. As an academy product, the sale of the midfielder – who has ambitions of breaking into the England set-up – would contribute as complete profit on the balance sheet.
Mads Hermansen
Mads Hermansen has impressed since he arrived at Leicester from Brøndby last summer, cementing his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The 23-year-old has filled the void left by the departure of compatriot Kasper Schmeichel in 2022, leading the Championship for PSxG – GA (Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed).
Post-shot Expected Goals is the likelihood of a goalkeeper saving a shot using the expected goals model. This is then compared with the number of goals a goalkeeper has conceded to give you the PSxG – GA.
FOXES NEVER QUIT 💙 pic.twitter.com/gKXpbP3dP5
— Mads Hermansen (@hermansenmads1) April 1, 2024
The Dane’s save percentage (74.3%) ranks third in the second tier, and he has impressed with his alertness when sweeping off his line and comfortability on the ball. So far this season, he has recorded the most passes in a single season for a Championship goalkeeper on record (1648).
Wout Faes
Wout Faes has bounced back from a challenging first season at Leicester to shine in the second tier, forming an excellent centre-back partnership with Jannick Vestergaard.
The Belgium international is calm in possession and confident when carrying the ball forward, ranking fifth in the Championship for passes into the final third.
Of defenders outside Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the top five per cent for attempted passes, progressive passes and progressive carries per game across the last 12 months, while he has completed 90% of his passes.
Wout will tear you apart again 😄 pic.twitter.com/44CDVMkfGq
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 21, 2023
James Justin
James Justin has bounced back from his fitness issues to become a regular at Leicester again this season with the full-back a consistent performer in the club’s Championship campaign.
The 26-year-old has two goals and two assists, while he ranks in the top five per cent of full-backs in the second tier this season for attempted passes and progressive passes. After impressing in the top tier with Leicester, Justin was handed a senior England debut against Hungary in June 2022.
Several top-flight clubs could consider a move for the versatile defender should Leicester look to cash in on a player who cost just £8m from Luton Town in 2019. His ability to perform in both full-back positions adds to his appeal.
Who else could leave?
Patson Daka endured a frustrating start to the season at Leicester but has found his goalscoring groove in recent weeks. The Zambian has seven goals in 13 league starts.
After a late move to Bournemouth collapsed in the summer, he struggled for minutes under Enzo Maresca, but has found a regular place in the side of late.
Daka arrived at Leicester with a big reputation after scoring 54 goals in 82 league games for Red Bull Salzburg, but managed just nine across two Premie League campaigns before relegation.
Leicester’s bid to gatecrash the top six of the Premier League also saw the Foxes build one of the largest wage budgets outside those clubs.
A number of the high-earners are out of contract at the end of the current campaign with decisions to be made on the futures of Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Jannik Vestergaard.
