Leicester City told to slap '£10-15m' price on player as Middlesbrough circle | OneFootball

FLW's Leicester fan pundit shares their thoughts on the club putting a £15m price tag on Oliver Skipp amid Middlesbrough interest

Leicester City are preparing for the third tier of English football following a third relegation in just four years, and are looking to make every penny they possibly can on outgoings ahead of a hugely important rebuild.

The summer transfer window is officially open, and things are beginning to heat up at the King Power Stadium for Leicester.

Russell Martin has been appointed as the club's new head coach following the departure of Gary Rowett, as the former Southampton and Rangers boss aims to guide the Foxes back to the second tier at the first time of asking.

Martin will have every expectation of rebuilding the Leicester squad in his image after assuming control, but will be well aware that sales must be made first to fund said rebuild.

Abdul Fatawu has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham United, whilst Jeremy Monga edges closer to continuing his development with Arsenal, with the two clubs nearly coming to an agreement on the deal that would see the teenager switch to North London.

More outgoings are expected as Leicester try and raise funds in any way they possibly can, with one of their midfield stars being linked with a lucrative immediate return to the Championship following relegation.

Leicester City are demanding upwards of £15 million for Oliver Skipp amid Middlesbrough interest

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Heading into League One, Leicester have one of, if not the highest, wage budgets of all time in the third tier, and clearing their books as soon as possible is imperative to mitigate losses.

Oliver Skipp will be one of the highest earners at the club, with Capology estimating his weekly wage to be around £50k per week, having joined the club in a deal worth a total of £25 million from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2024 if all conditions were met.

Skipp, 25, has made 65 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes since his arrival two years ago, but has recently been the subject of interest from Middlesbrough, as Leicester have reportedly since slapped a £15 million price tag on his head.

With Hayden Hackney on the verge of joining Everton, Boro will need to fill that void in the middle of the park, and have seemingly outlined Skipp as an option this summer, though whether they can come anywhere close to reaching their demands remains to be seen.

Football League World's Leicester fan pundit, Jamie Preston, has shared their thoughts on the potential of losing Skipp with Middlesbrough lurking, and whether the £15 million quoted price tag on his head is a fair assessment for a player of his ability, or is too much.

Jamie said: "The price tag on Oliver Skipp's head when he first came from Spurs was too much. He wasn't £25 million worth of player.

"If we got him for £10-15 million, he's done what he's done, then yeah, that'd have been great. But to get rid of him now, I'm not sure he wants to play in League One anymore.

"£15 million, £10-15 million, I'd say, is a good price. Middlesbrough probably haven't got that money to spend."

Jamie also conceded, though, that losing Skipp was a bit of a blow.

"Unfortunately, to lose a player like Skipp will be a bit detrimental to the club," he continued.

"But we've just got to try and get money into the club and wages off the books. That's where we're looking at. I'm just not sure. But yeah, losing Skipp will be worse than losing Harry Winks, I think."

Russell Martin must consider Oliver Skipp's price tag this summer amid supposed Middlesbrough interest

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Martin will be well aware of Leicester's need to sell players this summer to raise funds, but must be cautious when it comes to demanding lucrative fees to not put off potential suitors.

Whilst it is understandable that the Foxes are aiming to recoup as much of their £25 million fee they paid for Skipp as they can, they must take into account the club's current position, and consider who would be able and/or willing to break the bank in the EFL for Skipp.

Martin must consider Leicester's demands and decide whether they are unreasonable or not, as the Foxes mustn't price themselves out of a deal when they are in desperate need to sell.

Whether the £15 million price tag will prove too steep for Boro, or any club for that matter, remains to be seen, but Leicester are certainly trying to extract every penny they can from player sales.