Just a decade after completing one of football’s greatest fairytales, Leicester City’s extraordinary decline has taken another turn with a deadline reportedly set in the race to buy the former Premier League champions.
And there could be more change coming, with Socceroos captain Harry Souttar in talks over a potential move away as an ambitious club circles.
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LEICESTER SALE RACE HEATS UP AMID STUNNING FALL
Leicester City’s dramatic decline could soon be followed by a major change off the pitch, with prospective buyers reportedly given a deadline to submit offers for the club.
According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, interested parties have until September 14 to lodge their offers, with Leicester’s portfolio valued at more than €230 million (A$373m), excluding inherited debt.
A consortium led by Scottish-Indian businessman Neil Lal is among the groups reportedly in active talks as the race to purchase the Foxes intensifies.
A successful sale would bring an end to the Srivaddhanaprabha family’s 16-year ownership of Leicester.
It comes amid an extraordinary decline for the club just a decade after one of the greatest achievements in English football history.
Leicester stunned the football world by winning the Premier League in 2016, but consecutive relegations have since sent the Foxes from the Premier League through the Championship and into League One.
Their difficult start to life in the third tier has continued the slide, with Leicester taking just one point from their opening two league matches and already exiting the EFL Cup.
Now, with the club reportedly on the market and a deadline set for prospective buyers, another significant chapter in Leicester’s remarkable recent history could be approaching.
WREXHAM EYE BLOCKBUSTER SOCCEROOS SWOOP
Wrexham are reportedly in talks over a stunning move for Socceroos World Cup captain Harry Souttar.
According to reporter Anthony Joseph, Wrexham have opened discussions with Leicester City over the Australian centre-back, although negotiations remain at an early stage.
Leicester are believed to value the 27-year-old at around £10 million (A$19m), a price tag that has reportedly deterred several interested clubs from making a move this summer.
However, Wrexham have now emerged as a potential destination for Souttar as the ambitious Welsh club explores another significant addition.
Souttar’s future at Leicester has been the subject of speculation throughout the transfer window, with the towering defender potentially available should the club’s valuation be met.
A move to Wrexham would see one of Australian football’s biggest names become the latest high-profile addition to the club’s remarkable rise.
ALVAREZ TURNS TO ARSENAL AS BARCA DOOR SLAMS SHUT
Julián Álvarez is reportedly beginning to consider a move to Arsenal after accepting Atlético Madrid will not sanction his preferred transfer to Barcelona.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, the Argentine is now considering Arsenal as an alternative, with the Premier League club remaining attentive to his situation should he open the door to a move.
Until now, Álvarez had reportedly indicated Barcelona as his desired destination.
The latest development comes amid an increasingly public battle between Barcelona and Atlético over the forward’s future.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has openly confirmed his club’s interest and revealed an offer remains on the table.
“We are still very interested in Julián Álvarez,” Laporta said.
“We would like our offer to be accepted, and we are doing so with the utmost respect for Atlético de Madrid.”
Laporta went further by making it clear Barcelona are ready to move should Atlético agree to sell the Argentine before the transfer window closes.
“Let Atlético Madrid know that, if they are willing to sell Julián Álvarez during this summer transfer window, we would be ready to buy him,” he said.
“This provided we can reach an agreement around the offer we have made to them.”
Laporta also revealed he personally contacted Atlético chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil over the proposal and claimed Barcelona had received information suggesting the Madrid club wanted to sell Álvarez.
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“It’s clear that our offer remains valid until the end of the market,” Laporta said.
Atlético, however, responded emphatically to those comments, insisting there is no prospect of Álvarez being sold to their La Liga rivals.
“There is a 0% chance of selling Julián Álvarez to Barcelona,” Atlético told Marca.
“The player is being portrayed as the victim, but the only victims of the Julián saga are us.
“This is about dignity.”
Atlético also claimed the saga had damaged the club “economically and socially” and accused those surrounding the situation of spreading “many lies and half-truths”.
However, that stance reportedly does not extend to other potential buyers.
According to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, Atlético have placed a €150 million (A$243m) price tag on Álvarez and are prepared to consider offers from any club other than Barcelona.
That potentially opens the door for Arsenal, with Álvarez reportedly beginning to accept that his desired move to the Catalan giants will not happen and considering the Gunners as another option.
Arsenal have remained attentive to the situation but, according to reports, their interest depends on Álvarez indicating he is prepared to consider a return to the Premier League.
Álvarez was also absent from Atlético training due to illness after feeling unwell, according to Marca, although there has been no suggestion his absence was related to the ongoing transfer situation.
With Barcelona effectively blocked and Atlético reportedly willing to consider a €150m offer from elsewhere, Arsenal could now have a clearer path to Álvarez should the Argentine decide to open the door to a move.
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CHELSEA OPEN TALKS FOR WORLD CUP WINNER
Chelsea are reportedly in negotiations over a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, with the Argentine keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are in talks with Martínez’s representatives after the 33-year-old was offered to the Blues, with the club now considering a move.
The development follows reporting from The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Jacob Tanswell that Martínez’s representatives had offered the goalkeeper to Chelsea amid uncertainty surrounding his Aston Villa future.
Martínez had previously been the subject of talks over a move to Juventus earlier this month, but that deal ultimately failed to materialise.
Villa have since signed Zion Suzuki from Parma, with the Japanese international expected to become the club’s new No.1 moving forward.
Marco Bizot started Villa’s Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, further raising questions over Martínez’s future at Villa Park.
Chelsea have now emerged as a potential late destination for the World Cup winner, with negotiations ongoing and Martínez reportedly keen on making the move.
No agreement has yet been reached, but the Blues are considering the opportunity as the transfer window enters its final stages.
SUNDERLAND LAUNCH GREALISH SWOOP
Sunderland have reportedly submitted an offer to sign Manchester City winger Jack Grealish on loan in an ambitious late-window move.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Black Cats’ proposal would see Manchester City cover part of Grealish’s salary, with the possibility of the move becoming permanent next summer.
The 30-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at City, potentially opening the door for Sunderland to secure him permanently once his current deal expires.
Sunderland are now awaiting City’s response to the proposal as they look to add another major name to their squad.
Their move for Grealish is also running alongside a pursuit of Marseille winger Igor Paixao, with the Black Cats exploring both options as they look to strengthen out wide.
For Grealish, the offer presents a potential route away from Manchester City as he enters the final year of his deal, while Sunderland have made their intentions clear with an audacious move for the England international.