Leicester City has significant transfer funds at their disposal as a result of the mammoth new Premier League broadcast deal. The Foxes are showing significant ambition in the personnel they are targeting, however, the apparent stalling from their various midfield targets proves that money is not necessarily everything.
The latest TV deal, worth nearly AU$10 billion, is by far and away the most lucrative in world football. In contrast to La Liga in particularly, where Barcelona and Real Madrid make AU$139 million more than their nearest rivals Valencia, the Premier League apportions each clubs’ share evenly (50% of the total agreement). This means that across the board, teams have money to burn.
The transfer dealings of traditionally smaller clubs this window is a reflection of the newly earned riches. Swansea has acquired the services of Andre Ayew from Marseille and Eder from Braga. West Ham has signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, Pedro Obiang from Sampdoria and Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus. Stoke has secured Ibrahim Afellay from Barcelona, Marco van Ginkel from Chelsea and Glen Johnson from Liverpool while Crystal Palace have, most significantly, signed Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint Germain. While some of these players mentioned were signed on free transfers, their wages demanded would be a significant increase on what the likes of these clubs have been able to offer in the past.
Leicester City, despite their efforts, is still yet to truly get involved in the spending spree. Having signed Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs and Shinji Okazaki, there is still a lot of business the club would like to complete, and not because they are adverse to spending. Within the last week alone, Leicester has apparently agreed fees for the transfers on SM Caen midfielder N’Golo Kante, Napoli veteran Gokhan Inler and for Copa America star Charles Aranguiz, yet none have been pictured on the club’s website holding the blue shirt.
While it does appear, according to various reports, as though Kante will join the East Midlands outfit in the coming days, he is indicative of the troubles faced by the club so far. Kante had the opportunity to sign last month, yet he was initially reluctant to commit, apparently holding out for an offer from Marseille.
MORE: Is Robert Huth’s the most important signature for Leicester this transfer window?
Aranguiz’s agreed fee is a club record, reportedly for £10.5 million. The Chilean has shown quality in both the Copa America and the World Cup last year, and is a regular for the national side, earning 40 caps for La Roja. According to FIFA.com, Aranguiz presents as a ‘crafty, tigerish midfielder of the highest order, notably for his ability to win and distribute the ball, pick out passes and hit the back of the net’.
The problem for the Foxes though, is that Aranguiz has his eyes set elsewhere, with Bayer Leverkusen the preferred destination for the 26 year-old. Aranguiz has stated,
“President told me there’s a bid from Leicester and it’s good for the club but for me, Leverkusen is important. I am not talking about money.
“Between Leverkusen and Leicester, the best is Leverkusen; they’re a bigger team. I want to go.”
Inler is a 31-year-old Swiss international of 83 caps, while also bringing invaluable Champions League experience. He is a tough-tackling midfielder, while also noted for his strong passing range. He is an ideal fit for Leicester City’s squad for next season as they look to add midfield quality.
As with Aranguiz, there are doubts as to whether the player will be at the King Power Stadium this season. Reports out of Italy have suggested Inler has rejected the offer to join Leicester, despite what is likely a big money offer in respect to wages.
In a time where players are often maligned for being mercenaries, some are still holding out for bigger clubs in order to compete for silverware. As it stands, the Foxes are already paying a premium for these players, and in the case of Aranguiz, are actually offering more money than Leverkusen for the player’s services.
Thus, it appears as though Leicester is going to have to pay well-over the asking price for their respective targets. One thing the club does have in its favour is a manager whom is likely to pique the interest of many footballers worldwide, and with his significant connections with many European clubs, may be able to attract quality before the end of the transfer window.
[interaction id=”55bf08dae741fff707326bb6″]
The likes of Stoke and Swansea are attracting players whom would have never previously been an option, but have also proven to be clubs who are seemingly entrenched in England’s top flight at least for the foreseeable future. Leicester, in this regard, is yet to prove itself and will be seen as a risky option for players searching for a new club and a bigger pay packet. One only needs to look at Queens Park Rangers and their struggles to maintain a place in the Premier League despite strong investment.
It is a chicken and egg scenario for Leicester. With the prospective signings mentioned, they would have a squad of very high quality. The trouble is, most seem reluctant to join until the club is an established presence in the Premier League. Can the Foxes consolidate their strong finish to last season, enabling them to fulfil their current transfer market ambition?
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook
Good article Jamie, I think you sum up very well the trouble with attracting better quality players to a club like Leicester. If we can persuade, as we have now done with Kante, two or three of these players we can kick on. If not, I fear it will be another season of toil and strife.