Leicester City’s recruitment model has experienced a rapid decline from when they lifted the Premier League title.
The days of Leicester signing N’Golo Kante-type players – bargains who they can sell on for mega money – are gone.
Instead, the Foxes are guilty of throwing money down the drain, resulting in fans calling for Jon Rudkin to be sacked, as he’s largely responsible for their downfall.
In the summer of 2024, Leicester captured Oliver Skipp for £20 million – a prime example of poor recruitment – while the loan signing of Odsonne Edouard was another.
Frustratingly, due to their inability to sign the correct players, City have missed out on some bargains over the years, including one star who was snapped up by Bournemouth.
Brendan Rodgers wanted to sign Milos Kerkez for Leicester
According to the Daily Mail’s report in July 2023, Leicester were one of several clubs interested in signing AZ Alkmaar left-back Milos Kerkez.
The report claimed that the Foxes had scouted the Hungarian star for over a year, presumably when Brendan Rodgers was in charge and before he got sacked in April 2023.
Bournemouth ended up signing Kerkez for £15 million when Leicester were preparing for life in the Championship.
And while the transfer was seen as a gamble at the time, the former AC Milan player has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting left-backs.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 27 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 36 | 16 | 46 |
| 6 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 46 | 38 | 8 | 44 |
| 7 |  B’mouthBournemouth | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 45 | 32 | 13 | 43 |
| 8 |  BrightonBrighton | 27 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 43 |
| 9 |  FulhamFulham | 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 42 |
The 21-year-old has played a vital role in the Cherries’ surprise charge towards Europe, producing two goals and four assists in 27 top-flight appearances.
He’s also done enough to attract interest from clubs competing in the Champions League, and one of those is destined to win a league title.
Liverpool are eyeing Kerkez in a £40m transfer
While Leicester have struggled in defence in this term, with Victor Kristiansen a weak link at left-back, Kerkez is now wanted by Liverpool.
According to The Telegraph, the Reds will have to spend more than £40 million if they are to lure him to Anfield as they eye a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson.
Richard Hughes is responsible for the transfer activity at Liverpool, and interestingly, he was working for Bournemouth when they signed Kerkez.
The stars are aligning towards the Hungarian moving to Merseyside, despite reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
In the space of less than two years, his transfer value has tripled, with Bournemouth set to land a huge profit on their player if they sell him.
Leicester need to take inspiration from how the South Coast club are operating, as they can learn a few invaluable lessons.