Leicester City’s Jeffrey Schlupp has been told he is part of the manager Claudio Ranieri’s plans for this season after the club rejected two bids from West Bromwich Albion for the Ghana international.
Schlupp, who made 24 appearances for Leicester last season as they won the Premier League title, had indicated that he was willing to leave the King Power Stadium in search of more regular football having been used mainly as a squad player.
West Bromwich had an initial £9m bid for the 23-year-old rejected in the summer but returned over the weekend with an improved offer worth up to £12m. Ranieri indicated after Leicester’s surprise opening day defeat against Hull that he would hold talks with Schlupp after he was left out of the matchday squad in favour of young prospect Ben Chilwell – a transfer target for Liverpool.
“I can only choose the first 11,” Ranieri told the Leicester Mercury. “He, of course, wants to play and I can’t say yes, you can play every match. Then we see what happens. Of course he wants to improve his career and now we see will what will happen and we will choose the best solution for the club and for him.”
However, it is understood that despite Schlupp’s desire to move on from the club he joined in 2005 as a 12-year-old, he was informed by Ranieri that Leicester have no intention of selling him this summer. The German-born player – who can operate at left-back and on the wing – could now be offered an improved contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2019.
Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez has admitted he would only consider leaving the Premier League for “one or two clubs in the world”. The PFA player of the year has accepted he is unlikely to be allowed to depart Leicester this summer despite interest in him from several clubs and is expected to continue negotiations over an improved contract.
“[The Premier League] is a super league and I would like to stay here as long as possible,” he told France Football. “Now, there are two or three clubs in the world, that if they come for me, it definitely makes you think, if you understand what I am trying to say.”
Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs to have been linked with the 25-year-old, although Leicester have indicated they will not consider selling him for less than £50m.
