How much money Leicester City could save on wages as triple exit claim emerges | OneFootball

The Foxes could see three previous big-money signings depart in this transfer window

It has been an extremely frustrating return to the Championship for Leicester City, who have been stuck in a rut of inconsistency ever since the opening weeks of the season.

The Foxes were immediately made one of the expected front-runners for automatic promotion back to the Premier League come the end of the campaign, largely down to the experience and depth which is still at Marti Cifuentes' disposal.

It has been well-documented, though, that the club have been hamstrung by financial uncertainty after being alleged to have breached Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations in recent times, with the threat of an eventual points' deduction still hanging over the King Power Stadium.

As such, only four signings were made by Cifuentes during his first transfer window in charge of the East Midlands side across the summer, with veteran goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, the only permanent addition on a free transfer, whilst all of Aaron Ramsey, Jordan James and Julian Carranza agreed initial loan moves from Burnley, Stade Rennais and Feyenoord respectively.

However, just days into the winter transfer window, it was confirmed that Carranza's stint from the Eredivisie giants was cut short, with the Argentine forward failing to score in any of his nine Championship appearances.

Shortly after such developments were confirmed, it was claimed by talkSPORT that, along with the potential free agent addition of former West Ham United striker, Michail Antonio, City could lose three of their most high-profile names between now and the transfer deadline of 7PM on Monday, February 2nd.

The three names in question come in the form of 10-time England international, Harry Winks, Belgian defender Wout Faes and French midfielder, Boubakary Soumare.

According to ESTIMATED figures from Capology, the Foxes still have the highest wage bill in the second tier with a weekly figure of £840,500 per week.

The aforementioned trio are, unsurprisingly, amongst the club's top earners. With that in mind, FLW have looked at how much money Leicester would save in wages if they were to be moved on in the coming weeks.

How much money Leicester City would save in wages amid potential Harry Winks, Wout Faes and Boubakary Soumare exits

At present, it is hard to envisage a route back into Cifuentes plans for Winks, who has been omitted from the Spaniard's matchday squad since the 3-2 defeat to Sheffield United on November 29th.

After initially signing under Enzo Maresca for £10m from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2023, the experienced campaigner was integral to City's title win under the Italian, forming a strong partnership with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

However, in the following 18 months, he has endured a frustrating time, which included a dispute with former Foxes head coach, Ruud van Nistelrooy in April 2025.

Despite falling out-of-favour under Cifuentes, the former Spurs academy graduate remains the club's top earner at present, taking home an ESTIMATED weekly salary of £90,000 per week.

As for Faes, he was signed for £15m from Stade de Reims in August 2022, at the beginning of the first of City's two relegation campaigns within the past three years.

The 27-year-old has been capped 28 times by Belgium, but has failed to perform to a consistent standard throughout his spell in the East Midlands.

After City were relegated in the summer, the centre-back became the subject of failed interest from Besiktas and VfL Wolfsburg, before later claims emerged that the Foxes would be open to a €10m sale amid interest from Lazio in early September.

€10mAccording to Capology, the man who scored the first goal of the Cifuentes era in the 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on August 10th is taking home a sum of £50,000 per week.

Meanwhile, Soumare was signed for £17m from LOSC Lille 12 months before Faes' arrival under Brendan Rodgers. However, the deep-lying midfielder has also been a major transfer mishap.

Whilst Leicester eventually secured the second tier title in April 2024, the 26-year-old spent a season on loan with Sevilla before returning to the first-team fold in the Midlands last summer.

Yet, after City's dismal campaign under Steve Cooper and Van Nistelrooy, it was claimed that the man who earns a reported £80,000 per week - the joint-second-highest figure at the club - would be on his way out.

Such developments didn't transpire in the summer. However, he could join his high-profile colleagues in departing imminently.

In total, this would see Leicester save approximately £220,000 per week on wages, based on ESTIMATED figures, which would reduce their wage bill to £640,500, below Southampton's figure of £758,500.

Harry Winks' wage figure is chart-topping in more than one way amid Leicester City exit talk

Given the fact Faes and Winks have been omitted from several recent matchday squads, it makes total sense for the international duo to depart the club as soon as possible amid financial uncertainty, as well as restoring their own form in a new environment.

Soumare has also not been involved in recent weeks. However, whilst the Frenchman has struggled for form, this has been down to a knee issue.

However, whilst he tops Leicester's individual payroll, it will come as a surprise to some on the outside that Winks' lack of minutes comes whilst he is also said to be the highest-paid player in the entire Championship, whilst Soumare and Ricardo Pereira are only £10,000 per week behind.