Leicester City will not ratify Leeds United’s move for Harry Souttar.
Leicester are reluctant to strike a deal with their Championship promotion opponents.
According to Sky Sports writer Rob Dorsett, Leicester City would not permit a last-minute transfer of defender Harry Souttar to Leeds United. The Championship leaders do not want to strengthen a direct promotion competitor, so the prospective move is a no-go.
Leicester won’t sell to Championship promotion rivals
Dorsett, who is covering Stefani Sensi’s impending move to the King Power Stadium, has revealed that Souttar will be unable to join Leeds United before the 11 p.m. transfer deadline.
The Sky Sports reporter told his X followers that Stefani Sensi is set to join Leicester shortly after completing his physical and leaving Inter. Leicester appears to be willing to make the transaction despite uncertainty over future outgoings. Could cost £2 million. Souttar to Leeds is not occurring since Leicester does not want to improve its promotion competitor.”
Souttar joined the Foxes from Stoke City in January, but has made few appearances since their relegation to the Championship. Football Insider revealed in the early hours of deadline day that Leeds were mulling a last-ditch approach for the tall centre-back, but the deal now appears to be off the table.
Given the present league positions of both clubs, this should come as no surprise. While Leicester stay ten points ahead at the top of the Championship, Leeds are one of the few teams capable of knocking them off their perch by the conclusion of the season.
The Whites are now in fourth position, twelve points behind the Foxes, but have won only seven of their last 22 league games following a sluggish start to the season – and have won their last four in a row. They also beat Leicester 1-0 in their most recent match, and the two clubs may probably compete in the Premier League next season.
Leeds have little defensive alternatives.
Leeds are a touch short at the back after Luke Ayling and Djed Spence left the club this month. Neither player was an automatic starter for Daniel Farke, but their departure has increased pressure on Leeds’ depth, with defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadu filling in at centre-back at occasions this season.
Souttar is familiar with the Championship, having impressed at Stoke City, and at 6’6″, he would have improved Leeds’ aerial power, particularly in set piece situations.
But persuading Leicester to agree to a sale was always a tough shot, especially given that they had invested £20 million on the Australian international, who appears to have no future with Enzo Maresca. The towering centre-back only arrived at the King Power Stadium a year ago, but he does not fit into Leicester’s possession-based style of play this season.
Leeds have also been connected with Everton defender Ben Godfrey, Toffees teammate Mason Holgate, and Bournemouth‘s Chris Mepham, so a centre-back might yet arrive at Elland Road before the transfer window shuts.
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