“DONE DEAL”- fresh transfer confirmed and completed as agreement’ is reached for £20m transfer with medical booked already
Leicester City are on the verge of completing a significant acquisition, having reportedly reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Oliver Skipp. The 23-year-old midfielder is expected to undergo a medical examination this Sunday, a pivotal step before he finalizes his move to the King Power Stadium on a permanent basis.
The deal is anticipated to exceed £20 million, according to reports from The Athletic, indicating a substantial investment by Leicester in securing Skipp’s services. This transfer is widely viewed as advantageous for all parties involved. For Leicester, it represents a strategic reinforcement of their midfield, while for Tottenham, it opens up opportunities for other potential signings and squad adjustments.
During the previous season, Skipp struggled to find a regular spot in the starting lineup under head coach Ange Postecoglou. Despite making 24 appearances across various competitions, he was predominantly used as a substitute and only started seven Premier League matches. His limited game time highlighted the challenges he faced in establishing himself as a key player in Postecoglou’s setup.
With three years remaining on his current contract with Tottenham, Skipp’s imminent departure marks a significant moment in his career. It has been reported that he has already bid farewell to his Spurs teammates as he prepares for this new chapter at Leicester City.
Skipp’s tenure at Tottenham began in 2018, and over the years, he has made 106 appearances for the club. His development was further enhanced by a productive loan spell at Norwich City during the 2020/21 season, where he played 47 matches and showcased his potential in the Championship.
As Tottenham gears up for their Premier League opener against Leicester on Monday, Skipp will unfortunately be unable to participate in the match. This is because the registration deadline for players to feature in this weekend’s fixtures was set for 12pm on Friday, and Skipp’s transfer will not be processed in time.
Upon his arrival at Leicester, Skipp will reunite with former Tottenham teammate Harry Winks. Winks, who joined the Foxes in a £10 million deal last summer, made a notable impact in Leicester’s midfield during the 2023/24 season. His performance was a key factor in Leicester’s strong showing and he is expected to feature prominently in their midfield against his former club.
Additionally, the match will mark the return of James Maddison to the King Power Stadium. Maddison, who made a £40 million move to Tottenham from Leicester in June 2023, started his Tottenham career with impressive form. However, he faced challenges towards the end of the season following an injury, which affected his performance.
Ahead of the upcoming fixture and the start of the Premier League season, Tottenham’s head coach Ange Postecoglou offered insights into his approach: “I enter every season with the aim of achieving success, but the first objective is always improvement. This season, our focus is on enhancing both the quality and consistency of our football. We saw progress last year with improved results and a shift in our style of play, delivering some excellent moments along with periods of struggle. The latter part of the season was disappointing, but our goal is to build on the positive aspects, achieve greater consistency, and use this as a platform to reach our season objectives.”
