Honest Leicester City reaction given to Kasey McAteer, Ipswich Town news - "I don’t think he’ll ever be a Premier League player" | OneFootball

The 23-year-old has managed just eight goals in 91 career appearances

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have announced the signing of winger Kasey McAteer from Leicester City.

In a deal worth £12m guaranteed over three years plus add-ons, the Republic of Ireland international joins the Tractor Boys on a four-year contract - as first reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein.

The 23-year-old has managed just eight goals in 91 career appearances.

That includes seven goals in 55 games for Leicester across all competitions, with his most productive spell coming in 23/24 as the Foxes gained promotion to the Premier League.

Kasey McAteer transfer exit seen as "good thing" for Leicester City

FLW's Leicester City Fan Pundit, Louchlainn Martin, believes the departure of McAteer benefits Leicester City - despite the player's obvious talent.

"I actually think it will be a good thing to get him gone. Obviously any transfer fee that comes in for him would be pure profit for PSR which is positive and probably what we need right now," Martin explained.

After being charged with an alleged breach of the EFL's financial rules in May earlier this year, it's still unclear whether Leicester will face a points deduction this season.

"I know we rejected £10m for him (McAteer) in January, but he’s shown promising signs - rarely - at the club. I mean, in pre-season he did okay. Two years ago in the Championship under Enzo Maresca as backup to Fatawu, he did okay."

Ornstein reported in the winter window of 24/25 that a bid from then-Championship side Sunderland was rejected by Leicester for McAteer. The fee was believed to be £8m rising to £10m.

Concerns raised over Kasey McAteer's injury record

Despite mentioning McAteer's apparent occasional promise, Martin expressed concerns about the player's overall development and fitness record.

"He’s picked up a few injuries, he seems slightly injury-prone. He’s not really able to beat a man. In terms of work ethic and determination, that’s all there. He seems like a positive attitude, but I just think he lacks the quality really," Martin told FLW.

Then-Foxes manager Maresca confirmed McAteer was out for "four to six weeks" during his breakthrough 23/24 season, following a hamstring injury against Blackburn Rovers.

"I don’t think he’ll ever be a Premier League player, for example, but we’re not in the Premier League, are we? We’re in the Championship," he added.

Town fans will be hoping the McAteer signing won't mean a repeat of the constant stop-start nature of their other right-winger - £20m Jaden Philogene.

Philogene suffered an injury to his ankle in pre-season for Ipswich, and although he started against Southampton in the league, the 23-year-old does have his own issues with injuries.

Whilst on loan with Hull City, Philogene was sidelined for 23 games - and that included a two-month spell on the sideline towards the end of 23/24.

Ipswich Town "slightly" improved by Kasey McAteer signing

"Does it improve Ipswich, slightly? I think there’s better options that they could sign for a similar price, obviously the homegrown tax," Martin continued regarding McAteer's £12m move.

There's no denying that the reported fee is another example of very good business done by Leicester. The East Midlands outfit have made over £120m in profit, selling previous academy graduates Ben Chilwell, Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

"I’m not too concerned, it’s a positive rather than a negative for Leicester as long as you can bring in another winger to make up the numbers," Martin concluded.

For Ipswich, McAteer most likely arrives as a direct replacement for Omari Hutchinson, who left for another East Midlands club in Nottingham Forest for a reported £37.5m.

The difference in transfer fees suggests Town are probably taking a risk on McAteer's potential to develop under Kieran McKenna's style of play, and he is known for getting the most out of younger players.