The short transfer window to kick off the summer has now closed and Leicester City, unsurprisingly, did no business. But that’s not to say progress wasn’t made in terms of building the squad.
Because City have fallen a division and because of their concerns around Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), declaring any players as certainties to be in 2025-26 squad has been a struggle.
But in announcing a few new contracts, there’s now at least three names who can be named with more conviction as being at the King Power Stadium when the campaign kicks off in August.
A contract extension for goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk helps to show greater faith in him. The Pole will either be number one or deputy next season.
Winger Jeremy Monga has a fresh scholarship and a pro deal for forward Jake Evans is very close. After their involvement in April and May, they will be in the first-team squad this coming campaign.
And, depending on the transfers completed between now and August, maybe midfielders Sammy Braybrooke and Henry Cartwright, and full-back Bade Aluko, all of whom have signed new contracts, could be part of the squad.
But in terms of new arrivals, there’s no news. There’s barely been any hints of news either.
The recruitment operation feels like it’s at a standstill while the manager situation is in limbo.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is still in charge, but it remains unlikely that he will be in the dugout when the season begins in just over eight weeks’ time.
It increasingly feels like van Nistelrooy’s departure hinges on finances. And so, the situation may not change until the beginning of a new accounting year on July 1, or until sales go through this month.
But while there’s more speculation on outgoings compared to incomings, there has been nothing concrete. Nobody is yet on the verge of an exit.
There’s plenty who are contenders to go though. Add up the players who City may sell for PSR profits, players who City may sell to get their wages off the books, players who are seemingly angling for a move away, and players who are being told they need to move on protect their international futures, it’s a significant list comprising around half the squad.
Perhaps the prominent rumour so far is Conor Coady to Rangers. The England international and that’s Jannik Vestergaard, and if a fee is offered that ensures a PSR profit, City likely won’t say no to a deal, especially with only one year left on Coady’s King Power Stadium contract.
Not that players would necessarily be expected to, but there’s only one member of the squad who has come forward and said they don’t plan to go anywhere, Jordan Ayew suggested a player who was frozen out for the final three months of the season.
Jordan Ayew suggested that staying and going were equally likely outcomes for him. But no other player has yet revealed their intentions to fight for a return to the Premier League.
Until players start leaving, City don’t know which positions they need to strengthen. Or at least not all of them.
Because Jamie Vardy’s exit means a new striker is paramount no matter what happens this summer. With Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen released, a new goalkeeper is required too, even if they’re coming in as a third-choice option.
Reasonably safe predictions can be made that those most likely to leave will be through the spine of the team, and so the recruitment team need to be formulating shortlists of centre-backs and central midfielders.
But who is targeted and how the squad shapes up should at least be partly informed by who the manager is. The boss is the lynchpin. So on that basis, even while City have an incumbent, limited progress can be made.
Which positions do you feel are a priority for City this summer? Click HERE to have your say.
Get your special Jamie Vardy edition of the Leicester Mercury
Jamie Vardy souvenir edition of the Leicester Mercury
It was certainly a fairytale ending to Jamie Vardy's Leicester City career - netting his 200th goal in his final match for the club.
To celebrate, we are launching a this special edition of the Leicester Mercury where we look back at the striker's amazing career - his journey from non-league to England international, his greatest goals and where he stands in the Foxes' list of all-time greats.
We also revisit the trophy-winning campaigns - the 2021 FA Cup and, of course, the 2016 Premier League title.
And there are plenty of tributes from those who played with him, against him and worked with him.
Jamie Vardy, it's certainly been a party!
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