leicester city
There might be surprises in store for the last two weeks of transfer
When it comes to the race for the automatic promotion places in this season’s Championship, it’s starting to look to like a three-way battle for one spot. Leicester City’s lead at the top of the table has, in the eyes of many, already guaranteed their promotion back to the Premier League.
You won’t find anyone at the King Power Stadium agreeing, but with a 10-point lead over third-placed Southampton, it’s safe the say the Foxes are in a strong position – and their recent form suggests they won’t be letting it slip in the coming months. That leaves Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leeds United battling for second place.
Daniel Farke’s Whites should be confident they can mount a strong challenge. They have the quality, they have some vital experience, and they have a manager who knows what it takes to get over the line, having twice won promotion from the division with Norwich City. However, even the most die-hard Leeds fans must acknowledge that both Ipswich and the Saints are looking like dangerous opponents.
Which is why news this week that Southampton could be set to lose one of their prize assets in the January transfer window went down well in West Yorkshire. Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Saints defender Kyle Walker-Peters this month, with the 26-year-old likely to cost around £20m.
The experienced defender has been an ever-present for Russell Martin’s side in the Championship this season, underlining just how important he is to their set-up. Leeds fans need no reminding of this, as he set up Adam Armstrong for the opening goal in the Whites’ 3-1 defeat at St Mary’s earlier this season.
His contract expires in 2025 and, while Southampton are keen to keep him on the South Coast, much will depend on how high Chelsea are prepared to go. He worked under current Blues boss Maurcio Pochettino during their time at Tottenham, although it was the Argentinian who sent him on loan to the Saints.
Of course the timing of any deal, if it transpires, will be vital. With just a fortnight remaining of the January window, Southampton would still have time to reinvest the money should an agreement be reached in the coming days. Much later and, while they might have handy sum in their bank balance, it won’t do them much good when it comes to the Championship promotion race.
Ironically, Leeds are also looking for a full-back after Djed Spence’s loan was terminated and Luke Ayling was allowed to join Middlesbrough on loan. Having Southampton in the market for the same players, and with money to spend, won’t be ideal for Farke and Co, so making progress on their targets in the near future could be a wise move.
