Harry Winks’ stint at Leicester City has been marred by controversy. The midfielder made a £10m switch from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2023, and really bought into the project under Enzo Maresca. However, since then, he’s been involved in well-reported disputes with the last three managers. The most serious of which led to him missing out on the end of the 2024/25 season. Therefore, there’s no surprise that many supporters will be expecting the 30-year-old to move on this summer, though it will not be for free.
Fresh Twist in the Harry Winks and Leicester City saga
Harry Winks: Contract Clause Revealed
As reported by Jordan Blackwell, Winks’ contract with the Foxes doesn’t expire this year. This is quite the surprise as reports are only just emerging that the club’s promotion back to the top flight in 2024 triggered an extra year to his deal. As a result, he isn’t a part of the long list of players set to leave for free this summer.
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Whilst Winks is yet to return to the heights of his first season for City, he has shown his quality at certain points. For instance, he was integral to the Foxes’ good start to the season, and since Gary Rowett arrived, he’s become even more influential. The goal away at Stoke epitomised this as he celebrated in front of the packed-out away end, in scenes reminiscent of his winners at QPR and West Brom under Maresca.
Due to the extension, Blackwell added that any fee over £2.5m would help the club’s fight with the Profit and Sustainability Rules. Leicester of course, received a points deduction due to these rules earlier in the season, so any fee for Winks could be crucial. Furthermore, with others such as Jordan Ayew, Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira all out of contract, any profit is a major positive.
How Does This Affect Leicester City?
If City are to suffer consecutive relegations, then Winks is almost certainly set to leave, especially after his antics this season. He walked straight down the tunnel away at Preston and fell out with the coaching staff, alongside some players. It’s fair to say these are signs he wasn’t too interested in another season in the second tier, especially as reports of a move elsewhere began to emerge. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if he leaves this summer, which would be to the benefit of both parties as Leicester can recoup some of the cash spent.
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In the case that the 30-year-old does stay, there are also some positives. He is integral to a side in possession with his intelligence and progressive passing being some of the best in the league. There’s a reason Maresca said the 23/24 season was ‘impossible’ without him. Furthermore, Blackwell also added that his wages are much lower than some of the numbers being thrown around, which bodes well. He said: “It’s understood that his pay packet is less than half the £90,000-a-week figure that has been floating around.” This is important as it would likely lead to more interest in a move elsewhere, as teams can afford to offer similar numbers.
