Enzo Maresca dampens transfer window expectations with clear Leicester City warning
Enzo Maresca has warned not to expect a summer spending spree at Leicester City with a “low-key” transfer window in store.
With City in a “huge economic hole”, there will be no transfer war chest for Maresca to spend on improving his squad for the Premier League. All he can promise is that his side will approach the new campaign with a “fighting spirit” as they try to survive, potentially amid a points deduction.
Maresca previously said that any key player sold for financial reasons in the upcoming window must be replaced, but big deals on top of that seem unlikely. The manager himself will be sticking around though, despite hints that he may consider his future earlier this month.
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“I signed for three years, and after such a positive year there isn't much else to say,” Maresca told Gazzetta dello Sport. “The relegation has left a huge economic hole and unfortunately we risk sanctions. There is the possibility that for the next season they will take away some points, as happened this year at Everton and Nottingham Forest.
“And obviously the market will also be low-key. We have exited the Championship, and we will face the Premier League with the same fighting spirit.”
It is expected that City will discover the result of their Premier League charge over an alleged breach of Profit and Sustainability regulations this summer, meaning they could receive a sanction in the form of a points deduction before the new campaign begins. They also risk another charge, this time from the EFL, if they don’t balance their books with player sales before the end of June.
Beyond that, they have to continue to be careful to comply with the financial rules, especially after losses of £90m were announced for the 22-23 campaign. Chief executive Susan Whelan said last month that the impact of the club’s relegation “would be felt for some time”.