Leicester City are bracing themselves for interest in striker Patson Daka this summer should they fail to gain promotion to the Premier League.
The Foxes looked to be storming to the Championship title at the turn of the year. On New Year’s Day, they held a 10 point gap over second-placed Ipswich Town and were a huge 17 points ahead of Leeds United, who sat fourth. However, a huge drop of form in February and March saw that lead diminish and Enzo Maresca’s team now sit in third.
The East Midlands-based club still hold their fate in their own hands. The Tractor Boys are currently top of the pile, although both them and Leeds in second have played a game more than Leicester.
If there was ever a perfect time for the ‘squeaky bum’ phrase, it’s probably now. The remaining weeks of this season will be a critical one, not least because the division in which they are playing in next season will have a direct effect on their summer transfer business.
Remaining in the second tier will make it more difficult to recruit the players they already have in mind, whereas a host of stars could depart the King Power Stadium. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is already linked with the likes of Manchester United, whereas Wilfred Ndidi continues to have admirers in Barcelona.
Another who will attract attention this summer is striker Patson Daka. The Zambian international joined Leicester in a £23 million deal in 2021 from Red Bull Salzburg and was wanted by Bournemouth before the start of this season. There was further interest in January, when La Liga outfit Real Betis tried their luck, but the player remained at the King Power Stadium.
According to Estadio Deportivo, the Spaniards will once again make a move at the end of the campaign, but only if the 2016 Premier League champions remain in the second tier.
Daka has had to patiently wait for his chances this season. He spent the first half of the campaign on the fringes of the squad, but has recently seen increased game time, starting Monday’s win over Norwich City. The report states that he would be open to leaving the club should promotion not be achieved.
Writer’s View
Leicester’s downfall has been staggering to watch and has made the final few weeks of the Championship season a must-watch. Although the Foxes are still in the driving seat due to their game in hand, they are limping at the moment whereas Ipswich and Leeds show no signs of slowing down.
It is imperative that Enzo Maresca completes his promotion objective, or we could see a fire-sale at the King Power Stadium. Their ongoing financial woes mean that is already a likely scenario and failure to return to the Premier League could carry more consequences than just the loss of players.
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