OLIVER TWIST
Leicester agree huge transfer for Tottenham star Oliver Skipp after Spurs’ U-turn on midfield ace
The two sides face each other on Monday night
LEICESTER have agreed a deal worth more than £20million to sign Oliver Skipp from Tottenham.
The midfielder, 23, is now expected to undergo a medical on Sunday with the Foxes.
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Skipp has struggled for game-time under boss Ange Postecoglou.
But the fact that Skipp is one of only a few homegrown players in the Aussie’s squad - an especially important factor for their Europa League campaign - has meant Spurs were reluctant to let him go previously.
That stance appears to have softened now though with the Foxes in talks to bring the former England Under-21 man to the King Power.
Skipp has racked up 106 games for Spurs since making his debut in the 2018-19 campaign.
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He also enjoyed a successful loan spell at Norwich in 2020-21 where he helped the Canaries win the Championship.
Jose Mourinho marked him out as a future Spurs captain and Skipp signed a five-year deal in April 2022.
But injury stunted his progress and though Postecoglou appreciates the Under-21 Euros winner’s attitude and workrate, Skipp only made five Premier League starts last season under the ex-Celtic boss.
Spurs brought in two new central midfielders this summer with the captures of 18-year-old pair Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.
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Their arrivals are likely to limit Skipp’s opportunities further this term, although Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg left for Marseille and Giovani Lo Celso is also set to move.
Ironically, Spurs begin their Premier League campaign on Monday at Leicester, who signed midfielder Harry Winks from Tottenham last summer.
Ange Postecoglou's F-word rant caught on live TV as he tears into shellshocked Tottenham flops during drinks break
The Foxes have not been the most active in the market this summer due in part to past issues with Prem spending rules.
The club are facing two separate points deductions from the Premier League.
Leicester were charged by the Prem in March with breaching the £105million loss limit for the period ending 2022-23.
But the case was delayed as the club have launched a legal challenge.
Leicester’s lawyers say the Prem had no right to charge them while they were in the Championship.
The Premier League charges relate to Foxes’ top-flight seasons between 2020 and 2023 when they lost £215.3m, more than £110m over the limit.
Premier League sides deducted points and others at risk
Nottingham Forest
Deducted four points during the 2023-24 season for breaching Premier League spending limit by £34.563m. Failed in their appeal with decision upheld.
Everton
Initial 10-point deduction for 2021-22 Premier League breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Were deducted a further two points later in the 2023-24 season. Appealed, but since withdrawn following Prem survival.
Sheffield United
Hit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022-23 EFL season. Will begin the 2024-25 Championship season on -2 points following their relegation from the Prem.
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Manchester City
Etihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.
Chelsea
Blues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.
Leicester
Foxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction for the 2024-25 season following their return to the top flight.
Everton (again)
The Toffees are again at risk of breaking PSR rules and are in a race against time to raise funds and balance the books. Not only could that lead to another charge but also administration. That would lead to an automatic nine-point deduction for the 2024/25 season.
While the EFL are forecasting another large overspend for last season.
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The EFL even began investigating Leicester’s 2023-24 finances in real time last season due to concerns that they would breach the limits again.
An attempt to impose an EFL-run business plan on Leicester was defeated on appeal but the club was given a transfer ban in the second half of the promotion season and the matter was passed on to the Premier League.
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