Leicester Might Lose A £5k-A-Week Star To Premier League Team

Leicester City are flying high in the Championship right now but could be set to lose a first-team regular, according to the latest reports.

The Foxes are currently sitting top of England’s second tier with 65 points in 27 matches played and are seven points clear of second-place Ipswich Town despite suffering a disappointing 3-1 loss away at Coventry City at the weekend.

Nevertheless, Leicester face the Tractor Boys on Monday in what will be a huge match, not only for the title race but also for Southampton and Leeds United as both clubs are breathing down Ipswich’s neck right now.

The former Premier League champions are chasing Reading’s Championship points record of 105 which has been held for almost 18 years. Enzo Maresca’s men are on course for 110 points, so there is little margin for error if Leicester City are to beat the Royals’ impressive feat.

However, this mountain will be made even steeper if the Foxes lose some key players. Journalist George Tyokghir has reported that 22-year-old midfielder Kasey McAteer has garnered interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the top-flight as Ange Postecoglou looks to bolster his attack before the January window closes.

Speaking on the Spurs Chat Podcast, netsport.uk  revealed there is interest from Spurs, but a deal is unlikely in the near future [quotes via Spurs Web]:

“The other player Tottenham are looking at, a different type of player to the ones we have mentioned is Kasey McAteer at Leicester, they really like him.

“He started well for Leicester, but then he got an injury, with Leicester flying they’re likely to get promotion to the Premier League. I’m not sure anything is possible there in 2024 just because he’s in the right place for his development.”

McAteer has become an important member of Maresca’s squad this season and has gone on to make 15 appearances in all competitions for the league leaders. Furthermore, the winger is said to be on just £5,000-per-week at the King Power Stadium.

Writer’s View

For a player of his quality, £5,000-per-week doesn’t seem like an awful lot, although this is his first season getting regular game-time with Leicester City, following brief loan stints with Forest Green Rovers and AFC Wimbledon.

However, clubs in the Premier League will most definitely be monitoring his progress in Leicestershire, particularly since McAteer has now entered into the final 18 months of his contract and may be willing to leave if an improved deal is put on the table by suitors.