Leicester City

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have made a move to sign Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who Brighton are also interested in.

Albion are keen to sign Dewsbury-Hall in a cash-plus-player swap deal involving Poland midfielder Jakub Moder.

Moder is ready to switch but there are concerns that Chelsea's enquiry, made on Thursday, could cause Dewsbury-Hall to reject the move to the south coast.

Chelsea believe they would be the preferred choice for the 25-year-old, particularly as they can offer the chance to link up with manager Enzo Maresca, who joined the Blues this summer after delivering Leicester's Championship title and promotion to the Premier League last season.

The situation is complicated further by Dewsbury-Hall's general reluctance to leave his boyhood club, who he joined when he was eight.

In an interview with BBC Sport this week, Dewsbury-Hall said: "I have been here since I was a kid. I love everything about the club. I grew up and managed to play in the first team. I am happy.

"I have never said I am actively wanting to leave. That sort of stuff is not up to me. You never know with football - the season is about to start, so we will see."

The Foxes, who hired Steve Cooper to succeed Maresca, are in a poor position under the Premier League profit and sustainability rules and it is thought they need to sell the academy graduate to satisfy the regulations.

Brentford are also reportedly interested in Dewsbury-Hall.

Image source, Getty Images

Lynn Wyeth, a board member for the Foxes Trust spoke to the When You're Smiling podcast about Leicester's increased ticket prices for next season:

"We were pretty surprised to see the increases. Although we expected a small increase because everything is going up, the size of it was a a lot higher than we envisaged.

"I know they've kept prices down for some years but it's a really big hit to take this year. Some of the category A tickets have risen by nearly 50% from last year.

"We immediately got a lot of members, and other fans, getting in touch with us who were pretty shocked and upset - and some very angry.

"It felt that they were really pricing families out. We had a lot of people who take children saying they can't afford to go now. We're a bit disappointed that there wasn't the engagement with us beforehand.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see some individuals or groups take action. We've already seen people saying that they won't be going to games or buying shirts this year.

"There's a lot to think about going forward whether this is the best strategy for everyone."

Listen to the full episode here

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast has landed on BBC Sounds.

Jack Rafferty is joined by former Foxes striker Matty Fryatt and Leicester fan Helen Thompson to discuss ticket prices and pre-season plans.

Listen to the full episode here

Chelsea have contacted Leicester City about signing 25-year-old English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who is understood to only want to move to the Blues if he leaves the Foxes. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Brighton had agreed a swap deal for Dewsbury-Hall which involved Poland midfielder Jakub Moder and a fee, before Chelsea showed an interest. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Brentford are also interested in Dewsbury-Hall, who is valued at about £40m. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

We asked for your views on which Euros player would be a good fit for Leicester City.

Here are a few of your suggestions:

Reuben: Barnabas Varga, the Hungary striker. We need a new striker and he has been good this tournament. However, I would love to see Breel Embolo at the club, if he is affordable!

Mark: Without doubt Georges Mikautadze. He is another gem from the lower French leagues, just like Riyad Mahrez. Given his performances in the three group games for Georgia, I suspect Metz could command a hefty fee for him, but if it's viable then it's definitely a transfer worth pursuing.

Alex: Georges Mikautadze of Georgia has looked good. He looks good technically and he always plays the ball forward. He doesn't get enough credit due to playing next to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He reminds me a bit of Shinji Okazaki!

Andy: If Scott McTominay isn't wanted by Manchester United, I would take him at Leicester in a flash!

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall "loves everything about" Leicester City and hopes staying gives him a platform to make his England debut.

The 25-year-old midfielder won both Player of the Season awards during Leicester’s title-winning campaign in the Championship last season.

When asked if a return to the Premier League can help him capture England manager Gareth Southgate’s attention, Dewsbury-Hall said to BBC Sport: "That’s the aim. I feel like I have got the ability to at least be in contention.

"I don't see why when playing well in that Premier League that I couldn’t be pushing for a spot. I respect all the players - but I feel I could bring something to the team. By doing well for my club, maybe I get into the England international setup."

Despite being happy at his boyhood club, Dewsbury-Hall’s future remains uncertain amid a battle to comply with Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

"I have been here since I was a kid," he said. "I love everything about the club. I grew up and managed to play in the first team. I am happy. I have never said I am actively wanting to leave. That sort of stuff is not up to me. You never know with football - the season is about to start, so we will see."

Dewsbury-Hall has become a leaders at Leicester and thanked now Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca before urging the squad to rally behind new manager Steve Cooper, with a potential points deduction looming.

"Enzo was an unbelievable manager," he continued. "I genuinely see him becoming a top manager, so it wasn’t a surprise to see he was in demand. It is weird having to change a manager after being so successful, but that’s football.

"Itis never too bad to get new ideas. I met Steve in the corridor at the training ground. He is a really nice man. Very well spoken and I just felt he was well motivated for the job. So I am positive about the appointment.

"We understand that [the points deduction] may happen. We are humans [and] we see it on social media. But it's out of our hands. We’ve got a duty now to make sure we are in the best possible shape going onto the pitch - whatever happens."

Everton are close to signing 27-year-old Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on a free transfer when his Leicester contract expires next week. (Football Insider), external

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

As the Euros group stage comes to a close, how's your scouting report gone?

Who has caught your eye as a perfect signing for Leicester City?

And how would they fit into Steve Cooper's starting XI?

Give us your suggestions here, external

Brighton are keen on 25-year-old Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin sat down with former Foxes defender Liam Moore to discuss everything from breaking into the first team from the academy, to watching his hometown club win the Premier League from the sideline.

Listen to the In Depth: Liam Moore special here

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cooper's ability to be "adaptable" is a "plus point" for the new Leicester City manager, said former Foxes winger Matt Piper on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

"You look at his days at Swansea and Nottingham Forest and what he's excellent at is he's very adaptable," said Piper. "He can change systems, styles and the way that the team plays to try to get results.

"We all knew that if Enzo [Maresca] was still our manager, we would be playing out from the back regardless, pressing from the front, inverting the full-backs, trying to play through midfield. Vincent Kompany tried to do that with Burnley when they first went back up and they got absolutely peppered on most occasions.

"I don't think Steve is that type of guy. He will come in and say, 'this is the way I'd really like to play with this group of players', but if it's not working and he's not getting results, I think he'll change it very quickly.

"That's a plus point in the manager's column for someone coming in to work with this squad this season."

This is Cooper's first managerial role since leaving Leicester's East Midlands neighbours Forest in December.

While Piper understands Cooper's connection with Forest may be an issue for some Foxes supporters, he added: "If he comes in and does a good job for Leicester, that will all be forgotten about very quickly.

"Things happen so quickly in football. If we beat Spurs with James Maddison coming back in that first game of the season, the King Power will be bouncing. No one will remember that Steve Cooper was Nottingham Forest manager - they won't care."

Listen to more analysis on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Despite Leicester's interest in Graham Potter - and discussion getting to an advanced stage with the former Chelsea boss - dialogue always remained open with Steve Cooper.

Talks never ended and he was never discounted from the process. Conversations with Potter ultimately failed to yield a positive outcome but Cooper's track record proves he can be the best man for the job, after his appointment on a three-year deal.

Leicester's profit and sustainability situation has been helped by the compensation of about £10m they got from predecessor Enzo Maresca's move to Chelsea, which naturally eases fears for any incoming manager.

Yet it will still be a battle given the prospect of a points deduction after being charged for breaching PSR in March but Cooper has history of producing the best from a squad which may not be the strongest.

That was perfectly demonstrated when he took Nottingham Forest from the bottom of the Championship to promotion in 2021-22, having guided Swansea to the Championship play-off final a year earlier.

Despite this being a different era for Leicester - compared with the title-winning squad that was Champions League-chasing and then had FA Cup success - there is still talent in the squad that Cooper knows he can work with.

They still may be forced to sell Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but Jamie Vardy's 20 goals last season prove he remains a threat, Harry Winks excelled while James Justin, Ricardo Pereira and Wout Faes all have good top-flight experience.

However, despite a desire to keep him, Wilfred Ndidi's contract expires at the end of the month and, as it stands, the midfielder is more likely to leave than stay.

Cooper kept Forest up in 2022-23 before leaving last December and knows how to survive in the Premier League. That is Leicester's priority and Cooper already moved to unify the fans on day one with an open letter to Foxes supporters.

He wrote about re-establishing the club in the Premier League and immersing himself in the community to strengthen the bond with the club, something chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha highlighted as a key focus in the decision to appoint him.

Chris Forryan
Fan writer

So finally we have our new manager and it seems fans are already split on Steve Cooper's suitability for the job.

For those who cannot accept his Nottingham Forest link, do not forget Martin O'Neill was a Forest player. And where did we buy Wes Morgan from? Remember how much you loved those two.

Cooper was born in Wales - he is not a Forest fan, to him it is just a job.

Whoever was appointed, some fans would not be happy. Personally I trust Top's decision. If Cooper keeps us up, I am sure we will all love him, and that is not an easy job given the probable points deduction.

A lot of younger fans wanted Graham Potter - why? What has he won?

I want a manager who wants to be here. In Cooper we have that. He won the Under-17 World Cup with England so he is good with youngsters, he turned Forest around, won the play-offs and then he kept Forest in the top flight.

Happy? I am - let's now all get behind him.

Chris Forryan can be found at Leicester Till I Die, external

Jack Rafferty
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fan reaction to Steve Cooper's appointment has been mixed to say the least.

Firstly because of the other names in the mix for the role, but also because of Cooper’s ties to Nottingham Forest.

Supporters are disappointed at missing out on Graham Potter, who was having talks as late as Tuesday night to become the City boss. Some, therefore, are feeling a little underwhelmed the 44-year-old was given the role.

However, recruitment from north of the border has been successful in the past.

Martin O’Neill, twice a European Cup winner with Forest, became one of Leicester's greatest managers. Premier League title-winner Wes Morgan, certainly the Foxes' best-loved captain, was signed from their rivals too.

There is also concern that Cooper’s style is very different to the possession-based football of former manager Enzo Maresca.

But Cooper proved in his one full season at the City Ground that he can change things around to get the job done. After all, that season he kept them up at the expense of Leicester City.

A special episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling reacts to the appointment of Steve Cooper as the new manager at King Power Stadium.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Now that Steve Cooper is officially the Leicester City manager, we asked for your views on the appointment.

Here are some of your comments:

Samuel: I strongly believe Steve Cooper is a perfect choice for Leicester. He has had a great management career and now I am ready for the project.

Kevin: That's my season-ticket renewal down the River Soar. A manager who has lost 14 of his past 15 games? Seriously? This is a genuine lack of ambition. His Nottingham Forest link doesn't bother - on that point, some people should grow up. But the supporters are not fools. Staying up will a HUGE task, sadly.

Norman: It is what it is. We're in a bit of a mess at present. Hoping Graham Potter or some other high-profile prospect coming to us was always wishful thinking. That being said, Cooper is probably the best option we could hope to get. Forget about the Forest connection - it is all now about getting behind the manager, the team and the club.

Leon: This is a joke! The board need to go for this appointment. I'm so disappointed as a Leicester fan and season ticket-holder. He's going to get hammered by the fans and the atmosphere will be toxic from day one! No progression or foresight as a club. Honestly, I'm so angry.

Kevin: This is a reasonable appointment - I wouldn’t say the greatest. They should have gone for Potter, but I think he is holding out for the England job. But Cooper it is, and as long as he is backed by the board, then I will support the appointment. It’s going to be a long season anyway with whoever we appointed. Good luck, Cooper.

Duncan: This is not the best appointment Leicester could have made. Yes, Cooper had Premier League experience but, realistically, he had only ever struggled at the bottom with Forest. I would have liked to see Leicester be more ambitious and appoint a younger manager from a lower-league club. This is the equivalent of appointing Dean Smith.

Image source, Reuters

New manager Steve Cooper will assume the task of leading Championship winners Leicester City on their return to the Premier League.

But can he keep the Foxes in the top flight?

Select your confidence levels over here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

A new face will be sitting in the Leicester City dugout when the Foxes take on Tottenham at King Power Stadium in the first game of their Premier League return in August.

Having previously managed the Foxes' East Midlands neighbours Nottingham Forest, however, he will be a familiar face to many fans.

Steve Cooper says he is "really excited and proud" to be joining Leicester as their new head coach, but what can fans expect?

In 2014, he was appointed manager of the England under-16s and took charge of the under-17s a year later. He led the Young Lions to the final of the 2017 European Championship, in which they were beaten by Spain, but came out on top against the Spaniards with a 5-2 victory in the Under-17 World Cup final later that year.

The Welshman became Swansea City boss in 2019 and guided them to the Championship play-off final in 2020-21, but the team came up short against Thomas Frank's Brentford.

In September 2021, Cooper became Forest's head coach and, in an incredible turnaround, took the Reds from bottom of the table to Championship play-off final winners - their 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Wembley ending a 23-year exile from England's top division.

The first season back was not an easy one but, with the help of wins over Liverpool and Arsenal, a 16th-place finish was enough to secure safety.

However, with Forest 17th and without a win in six games, Cooper lost his job in December 2023.

Cooper has a win percentage of just 22% and a points-per-game record of 0.91 as a Premier League manager.

But as the Foxes step back up to top-flight level, his experience with keeping a promoted team safe could prove invaluable - even more so with the possibility of a points deduction being imposed, after Leicester were charged by the Premier League earlier this year for allegedly breaching profit and sustainability rules.

Image source, PA Media

Steve Cooper has said he is "excited to work with such a talented squad" after being confirmed as Leicester City's manager on a three-year contract.

The 44-year-old has succeeded Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes to the Championship title last season before joining Chelsea.

Cooper said: "I'm really excited and proud. This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters.

"I am excited to work with such a talented squad and I'm looking forward to the challenge of achieving our shared ambitions in the Premier League."

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: "His vision for the team, including his ability to develop players and implement a dynamic style of play, is very much aligned with our aspirations for the club.

"As a leader, he has the ability to build on the strong relationship that has been forged between our fans and our team, strengthening a bond that will be vital to us re-establishing the club in the Premier League."

Have your say on Cooper's appointment here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cooper says he is "really excited and proud" after becoming the new Leicester City manager.

The former Nottingham Forest boss, 44, has joined the club on a three-year-deal.

It is Cooper's first role back in management since he was sacked by Forest in December 2023.

How do you feel about the appointment, Leicester fans? Let us know, external

Leicester City and Fulham are keen on Roma's Edoardo Bove but Premier League rivals Everton and Bournemouth are at a more advanced stage in pursuit of the Italian midfielder, 22. (HITC), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a fluid situation for Leicester City in their search to replace Enzo Maresca.

Graham Potter held talks and Carlos Corberan was admired, but Steve Cooper is now expected to be the Foxes' next manager.

Even on Tuesday, Potter was still the frontrunner but, having been unable to strike a deal with the Foxes, former Nottingham Forest boss Cooper became the obvious choice.

It promises to be a challenge, with a potential points deduction looming and another second charge for breaching profit and sustainability rules possible if the club is not compliant by 30 June. It means a potential sale of players before the end of the month.

Cooper, who guided England to Under-17 World Cup glory in 2017, knows how to do more than just firefight following his time at Forest, but he will need to bring his extinguisher with him to King Power Stadium once an expected deal is finalised.

He took over a Forest side bottom of the Championship in September 2021 and guided them to the Premier League, ending a 23-year top flight exile just under nine months later.

The former Swansea City boss fostered unity at the City Ground and it is something which will be needed again in what could be a battle against relegation, especially if Leicester start the season - with Tottenham first up on 19 August - on minus points.

Despite winning the Championship and returning to the Premier League at the first attempt, there was never a complete buy-in to Maresca's style from the Foxes fans, but Cooper will hope to create that togetherness going back into the top flight.

That could negate any minor animosity towards an ex-Nottingham Forest manager moving across the East Midlands.

Survival is the main priority next season and Cooper will need solidarity.