Leicester City manager Russell Martin has confirmed defender Harry Souttar will captain the side against Notts County this weekend despite mounting transfer interest from Sheffield United. The Foxes rejected two bids below their valuation while Souttar pushes for a move.
Sheffield United are desperate to bring the Australian international back to Bramall Lane, but Leicester are holding out for full market value. Martin remains realistic about the situation while giving the towering center-back the armband. He conceded: “With Harry, I don’t know. He captained the team on Saturday (and) he will captain the team this Saturday.”
Souttar led the Foxes during their Carabao Cup victory over Northampton Town, stepping up as the key leader on the pitch. His boss praised his professional attitude throughout pre-season. Martin stated: “He’s been amazing since I’ve been in, since he came back from the World Cup. He’s a proper character so it wouldn’t surprise me that people are interested in him.”
The Blades have already seen two approaches flatly turned down by the Leicester board. Martin made it crystal clear that lowball offers will get short shrift at the King Power Stadium. “We had a couple of bids but they were nowhere near the valuation of the club and what we value him at,” the manager warned suitors.
Leicester will not sanction an exit unless their asking price is met and a replacement is secured. The club hierarchy refuses to be bullied late in the transfer window. But Martin knows money talks before the deadline passes. He added: “Until that happens, I’m really happy to have him here, the same with the rest of the players. We just have to be ready in case, if and when, anything does happen.”
Sheffield United are readying a third bid, but Leicester hold all the cards right now. If the South Yorkshire side wants their man, they must pay up. Until then, Souttar remains front and center for the Foxes.
