Andy King set to sign new deal at Leicester City
Leicester City hope top-scorer Andy King will sign his new contract offer when he returns from international duty.
A new deal for the 22-year-old midfielder would end speculation that he will be a target for Premier League clubs this summer.
King's performances for City have grabbed the attention of several Premier League clubs, especially Everton, while West Bromwich Albion have also been linked with the Wales international.
Albion boss Roy Hodgson watched City's 3-2 defeat against Norwich City recently, while the Toffees have been rumoured to be monitoring King's progress for some time.
The speculation has increased since Everton sold Steven Pienaar to Tottenham Hotspur as they are working to recruit a replacement.
King signed a new, long-term contract only last season but, after scoring 14 goals so far during the current Championship campaign, City want to tie down their prize asset on a more lucrative contract regardless of whether they get promoted this season.
City have already secured midfielder Richie Wellens and striker Paul Gallagher on new deals, and King is the last of the trio still to put pen to paper.
King, who is currently away with the Wales squad preparing for Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against England in Cardiff, has reached double figures in the goalscoring charts for the last three seasons, and City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson said he was confident he would be able to keep hold of his star man.
"We are working towards that (King signing)," said Eriksson.
"Of course we want to keep him as well (as Wellens and Gallagher).
"He is young, good and he will get better and better."
King has previously stated he is currently happy with City and not looking to leave.
"I am really happy and would like to stay," he said.
"I have been playing and been fortunate to be captain, and scoring goals.
"I enjoy my football here. I've been here so long and I feel at home."
Wellens signed his new deal last Friday, just days after Gallagher committed his future, and Eriksson said he was delighted to keep his play-maker.
"It is good news for the club that we are sure he will be here for the next few years," he said.
"He is a very good footballer and we were very keen to keep him.
"He is our play-maker and, if he plays well, then the team works very well."
Meanwhile, City duo Robbie Neilson and Franck Moussa have extended their loan deals at Brentford and Doncaster respectively by a further month.
21 Comments
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by dorset fox, dorset
Saturday, March 26 2011, 4:09PM
“Peter Ibstock
how do you know what nationality i am ?”
by Peter, Ibstock
Saturday, March 26 2011, 3:43PM
“Dorset Fox, People like you are the reason this Country is in the mess it is...
Just give up and hope the opposition beats us.
Isn't that like desertion in a war!
Anyway King is palying absolute rubbish as he has for the last few games and it's 2-0 to the English.
It's the people that you should give up on who have the same outlook as you.
The club and the REAL fans will be here forever and the likes of King will go where the money is...”
by dorset fox, dorset
Friday, March 25 2011, 9:48PM
“well said Chappy- We all know who he is
Fred or now Choppy - please register a name that is not poking fun at Nick- and unike the past please give us your fair and honest views without the need to wind people up on purpose for the fun of it- we have had all that in the past
some of us then may forget the past.
I hope Andy scores a couple tomorrow- i gave up on england years ago”
by chappy, flintham
Friday, March 25 2011, 9:17PM
“Choppy whoever you are...
Chappy is my registered Alias,
as it was my nickname at school as my Name is Chapman, Nick is my real first name, I have never pretented to be anyone else - and as dorset fox stated - Those of us who have been on here a long while don't need to pretend to someone else.
Your opinion is your perogative - but have some balls and do it as yourself or stick to one alias.
By the way my email address wasn't removed despite me reporting it..
Cheers LM”
by Nick, Wigston
Friday, March 25 2011, 10:15AM
“"A new deal for the 22-year-old midfielder would end speculation that he will be a target for Premier League clubs this summer."
Who wrote this? "End speculation"? It will barely slow it down.
Will the Mercury be promising not to speculate about Kingy's career if he signs a new contract on Monday when he gets back to the club? Will any other newspaper? No.
I guarantee that the first goal he scores after signing his new contract will be reported by at least one national newspaper as "raising the price Leicester can expect to receive for him in the summer if he leaves for a Premier League club" AND that the Mercury will follow suit the same evening.”
by Dorset fox, dorset
Friday, March 25 2011, 8:59AM
“''Choppy'' what a coincidence that we have Choppy and Chappy on our site- !!
Presume you are not referring to King- when you used to post as Fred you said that sir Alex was going to buy King./
in addition you on one hand complained about the cost of tickets and a £2 surcharge on the day and at the same time had a very well priced exec box.
By the way Dont understand the reference to Lord Lucan- all posters here ( apart from you) have all been posting a long time without it seems the need for an alias- do you refer to anyone in particular
am I right Choppy that you were once Fred or have i got that wrong? silly old me!!
Let me know if you want to meet for that drink before the burnley game - we can chat about the 60s sides and the old' pop' i think we can both recall it cost 2/6 to get in for kids..!
Those were the days”
by choppy, city
Friday, March 25 2011, 7:10AM
“Why should i pay good money to watch a player who would not get in a div 1 team? seems to be someone on here who has got more names than Lord Lucan.....”
by Nick, flintham
Thursday, March 24 2011, 10:24PM
“how odd, that I reported myself as I was a bit harsh on Choppy, and they remove the other post which was a simple reply stating that the contract extension would make a difference, in that it will put off those who can't afford his wages or don't want to break their wage structure, and it will increase what his contract is worth if a club do put an offer in, also deterring smaller clubs and just promoteds, and it will buy his loyalty somewhat if he has the option of benchwarming at a big club, a potential relegation scrap and penalties it may incur, or staying where he is, with an improved contract as a reward..
It's a shrewd move and if he signs it would be excellent business..”
by chappy, nickchapman@hotmail.com
Thursday, March 24 2011, 10:22PM
“how odd, that I reported myself as I was a bit harsh on Choppy, and they remove the other post which was a simple reply stating that the contract extension would make a difference, in that it will put off those who can't afford his wages or don't want to break their wage structure, and it will increase what his contract is worth if a club do put an offer in, also deterring smaller clubs and just promoteds, and it will buy his loyalty somewhat if he has the option of benchwarming at a big club, a potential relegation scrap and penalties it may incur, or staying where he is, with an improved contract as a reward..
It's a shrewd move and if he signs it would be excellent business..”
by SWFox, SWigston
Thursday, March 24 2011, 9:43PM
“have just paid out £800 to renew my season tickets and each home game costs me in excess of £40,away games considerably more and I go away very often therefore i reserve the right to vent my feelings at any player not pulling his wight and any player not good enough to wear the shirt so please, dont cal
the fans that boo, its pure frustration and nothing more.”