Leicester City

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BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella spoke to BBC Radio Leicester's When You're smiling podcast about midfielder Michael Golding, who has joined the Foxes from Chelsea:

"They have signed a technically proficient, classy young player who Chelsea regarded as a top prospect. He is a versatile midfielder who is very neat on the ball.

"Leicester had a bit of leverage over Chelsea because of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. In that deal, Leicester had the chance to do this PSR swap. They have gone for this younger talent, who is one of the best in his age group.

"It is early days in his career, but I don't think he is one Chelsea would have ever liked to have lost. He is a thoroughbred young talent and one of the best that Chelsea had in their under-21s group.

"He has got a great chance of making it in the Premier League. He has been with every age group at England's youth levels and captained the teams.

"He has still got work to do, but Leicester picked him up for a reasonable fee and it is their job to find space for him to play. You would expect there would be more space [at Leicester] because Chelsea are cramming their squad with young players."

Listen to the full episode here

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New signing Caleb Okoli says "Leicester is a beautiful club" and he is "very excited" to play in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old defender, who joins the Foxes from Atalanta, has signed a five-year-deal.

"Now is the right moment [for me] to make a step forward and a very big one," he told the club website. "I’m very happy with the choice I made, so I’m very excited to start in the Premier League

"Now I’m here in Leicester I’m feeling ready to start with my new team.

"It was the right opportunity and it’s very important for me. The Premier League is the best league in the world. Leicester is a beautiful club, an important club and the two combined together, so I took this opportunity to come and express myself in the Premier League."

Okoli is Steve Cooper's third signing of the transfer window so far, following the arrival of Michael Golding and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

What do you make of the Foxes business so far? Are there any other areas Cooper should be looking to strengthen?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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On the latest episode of the When You're Smiling Podcast, The Athletic's Fulham reporter Peter Rutzler spoke about what Leicester fans can expect from Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who has joined the Foxes after five years at Craven Cottage:

"When De Cordova-Reid signed [for Fulham], he was signed as a forward. You would say his best position is probably just behind the striker as a 10. He's played a lot out wide, but he's also played anywhere. He's played at right-back, right wing-back, left wing-back, centre midfield. That versatility is what has made him so valued.

"Scott Parker loved him during the time at Fulham because of that. It was the first time we saw him in a defensive role and he's trusted to do that.

"Marco Silva has spoken about his tactical intelligence and his ability to take instructions on really well and that makes him such an important member of the squad.

"I don't think he's the flamboyant type, he's a winger who will do things effectively. He can be quick, he's got an excellent first touch and he's got a really good shot as well. In the last couple of years, he's found a way to be really effective in the final third without being too over the top."

Listen to the full episode here

There are two new players at Leicester City.

Transfer deals don't half get fans excited (normally), so join Owynn Palmer-Atkin and Matt Piper as they consider the deals and who might come in next on the latest episode of BBC radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Leicester have announced their third pre-season game of the summer with a match against German side FC Augsburg.

The game will be played at Illerstadion in Kempten, Germany on Saturday, 3 August at 14:30 BST.

Augsburg finished 11th in the Bundesliga last season, and have been a mainstay in the league since they achieved their first promotion to the top flight in 2011.

In the latest episode of the When You're Smiling podcast, BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin sits down with former Foxes defender Michael Morrison to discuss his career.

Morrison joined the club in 2008 and left for Sheffield Wednesday in 2011.

Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's move to Chelsea, after the £30m fee eased concerns over meeting profit and sustainability rules.

Here is a flavour of your responses:

Stu: The badge on the front is always bigger than the name on the back. Always. This one stings a bit though. Homegrown talent is a rare thing. KDH has been progressing year on year at LCFC. Let's hope his London adventure goes the way of Ben Chilwell, rather than Danny Drinkwater.

Andy: Disappointed our best player from last season has had to be sold, but that is what happens. Losing Wilfred Ndidi and Dewsbury-Hall will make our midfield so weak. Already worried, even if our points deduction is reduced.

John: Very sad to see him go. I don’t think he wanted to go but has gone to benefit LCFC, putting his club first. Hopefully his sacrifice will not be in vain. The club has failed to manage its contracts and, more generally, its finances in recent seasons. The days of uncovering gems like N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez seem to have gone. Are we learning anything?

Reuben: Financially, it was the right decision. From a football perspective, terrible decision.

Neil: It is a very sad state of affairs that a homegrown lad who was fully committed to giving his all to the club he has supported all his life is forced to move to balance the Financial Fair Play books. He will be sadly missed by all the fans but we wish him well and hope he's not another player to end up on the Chelsea scrapheap.

Ben: Such a crucial player in a part of the field where we have little depth. He was one of my favourite players and I wish him all the best at Chelsea. It’s painful to watch another amazing Leicester player leave, especially one from our youth academy.

Dan: I feel that KDH cannot be criticised for moving to Chelsea, as 17 years with his hometown club is loyalty beyond words. I just hope he doesn't join the ex-Leicester scrapheap at Chelsea. If Maresca gets sacked, I do fear that potentially KDH might struggle for games, as we all know Chelsea have a massive squad to keep happy.

Dean: Gutted. He’s irreplaceable. Wish him all the best though. Let’s pray we stay up now.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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Leicester City can breathe a little easier now Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's £30m move to Chelsea has gone through.

The deal for the midfielder was completed over the weekend, meaning the club is expected to be able to include it in their 2023-24 accounts, therefore easing some profit and sustainability concerns.

While it may not make them disappear completely, the £10m compensation for former boss Enzo Maresca's own Chelsea transfer sees them bank £40m which will add to the growing confidence they can avoid a breach.

There is the first charge, handed out by the Premier League in March, for an alleged breach of their previous three seasons in the top flight still to be considered, though.

Leicester's referral to an independent commission frustrated the club, but they remain committed to co-operating in the process - something which benefited Nottingham Forest, who had their penalty reduced by two points last season.

There remains the possibility, albeit receding with every day, the Foxes could start the season with a points deduction.

Since Leicester were relegated in 2023, before the introduction of the top flight's new 'standard directions', the 12-week time frame to resolve cases quickly - something used in Forest's case – has not applied.

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, the Athletic's Rob Tanner spoke about the impact of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's departure to Chelsea:

"From the footballing point of view, it is a blow. He's homegrown, he's one the fans identify with and his performances on the pitch have shown that he's developed.

"He was a very slow start. As soon as he went out on those loans to Blackpool and Luton, he made that step up and every time he was faced with another challenge, he met that challenge.

"When he became one of the main men in the Leicester side, he stepped up - and now he's going to have to do that at Chelsea. He is the type of character to do that.

"He is going to be a big loss, but I don't think it's a surprise that they had to sell him. It all depends on how they reinvest some of that money."

Leicester fan Shamir Mawji added: "I get the feeling he didn't want to leave. I think it's come about because of our PSR conditions.

"He'll be a massive loss. He's homegrown, he relates to the fans and the fans can relate to him.

"I just hope it doesn't end in the same way [Danny] Drinkwater's move did. I hope the boy flourishes. He's a great lad and it's absolutely gutting from the fans' perspective."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has joined Chelsea for £30m.

The 25-year-old Foxes academy graduate has signed a six-year deal with the Blues to end his time at King Power Stadium.

How do you feel about Dewsbury-Hall's exit, Leicester fans? Disappointed to see a star player leave? And how do you feel about the fee?

Have your say here, external

A new episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast discussing midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's imminent departure to Chelsea has landed.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Highly-rated forward Amani Richards is set to sign a new three-year contract at Leicester City.

The 19-year-old has reportedly snubbed interest from clubs like Brentford, QPR and Sunderland to remain at the King Power Stadium.

London-born Richards, who can play as a striker or winger, is hoping to breakthrough with his first loan before ultimately having a first-team pathway under new manager Steve Cooper.

He is likely to be involved when Cooper begins pre-season training on Wednesday.

It follows an impressive record at academy level where he won the 2023 academy player of the season award and scored more than 20 goals in all competitions.

Brighton have been left frustrated after Chelsea agreed a deal to sign 25-year-old midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City even though the player had undergone a medical with the Seagulls and a fee was agreed between the two clubs. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Leicester City are close to agreeing a deal to sign 18-year-old midfielder Michael Golding from Chelsea. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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Premier League clubs have been preparing for what has been described as the 'unofficial transfer deadline day' on Sunday.

To avoid charges and possible points deductions clubs must be compliant with profit and sustainability rules (PSR) - and 30 June is a key date.

Officially the summer transfer window does not close until Friday, 30 August but, as Nottingham Forest discovered to their cost last season, some Premier League clubs need to get business done now.

What deals are already done?

Villa and Everton have done business with each other, Lewis Dobbin moving to Villa Park and Tim Iroegbunam joining the Toffees, each for reported fees of about £9m.

Villa have also sold Omari Kellyman to Chelsea for £19m two years after signing him from Derby for £600,000. The midfielder made six appearances for Villa.

Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, Chelsea’s defender who spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, has moved to Villa for £35m.

Who else could move?

Douglas Luiz's players-plus-cash transfer from Villa to Juventus is expected to go through soon.

Villa had medicals booked in for Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea this week, while Luiz's was scheduled for Las Vegas on Thursday as he is away with Brazil for the Copa America.

Leicester - who are already facing one charge for an alleged PSR breach - were put under a transfer embargo by the EFL in March but that ended once they became a Premier League club, following the top flight’s AGM earlier this month.

Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall represents their best sellable asset, given he came through the club’s academy and will generate pure profit.

Chelsea have had a bid rejected but talks are ongoing, and Brighton also have an interest.

Everton also rejected a £35m bid from Manchester United for defender Jarrad Branthwaite earlier this month.

Villa reportedly turned down £20m plus Giovani lo Celso from Tottenham for Jacob Ramsey, while Southampton and West Ham are discussing a move which would see Saints defender Kyle Walker-Peters move to the Hammers and midfielder Flynn Downes head in the other direction.

Read more from Nick on the unofficial transfer deadline day

Leicester City fan Helen Thompson spoke to the When You're Smiling Podcast about the Foxes' pre-season plans, which currently include matches against Shrewsbury and Lens:

"From a financial side, it probably would have done us good [to do a similar pre-season tour to last year]. Any revenue at the minute seems helpful.

But last year I was concerned about the time between the trips and if it would impact Enzo Maresca's ability to work with the squad.

"It's kind of the opposite this year. I expect there will be some more fixtures, but if not then we're only going to get two real chances to see what [Steve] Cooper has been able to do.

"Less travel seems more sensible given the task at hand, but a few more games to see what that style of play could be would be preferable so we can all have a first look at it and judge."

Listen to the full episode here

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