Leicester City blamed for Stefano Sensi's transfer collapse | OneFootball

Highlights

Leicester City are to blame for the failure to sign Inter Milan's Stefano Sensi, according to a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The midfielder had been a target for Enzo Maresca throughout the January window, but a deal was unable to materialise, despite the player travelling to the East Midlands for a medical.

The 28-year-old hadn’t trained with his Inter teammates prior to his trip to England, but his transfer to the King Power Stadium collapsed before Thursday's 11pm deadline, much to the annoyance of the Italian giants.

According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, ‘all the blame’ is on Leicester as the Foxes tried to change the terms of the agreement multiple times during the January transfer window, mostly on Deadline Day.

It is reported that the Foxes had initially offered €500,000 plus €2m bonuses if they had earned promotion to the Premier League this season. Inter accepted the offer, but the English club never sent their part of the documents signed.

Inter agreed to send Sensi out on a free transfer on Deadline Day, but the deal would come with €2.5m in add-ons, depending on Leicester City’s Premier League promotion.

"(Inter directors) Marotta, Ausilio and Baccin did it to help the English club who are dealing with strict financial checks from the league," wrote journalist Andrea Ramoazzotti.

There is said to be anger at the Serie A side because they will now have the pay the player’s wages and see the 28-year-old leave on a free at the end of the season, and the responsibility "lies entirely" with the Foxes.

It’s said those in charge at Inter did everything possible to try and get the deal over the line, coming to the aid of the Championship side on more than one occasion, but it was all in vain.

According to the report, FFP issues and work permit contributed to Sensi’s collapsed transfer, but ultimately not everyone at Leicester City was convinced about signing Sensi, contrary to their coach Maresca, who had pushed to reunite with his compatriot.

Everything had seemed to be going smoothly, with the player arriving at 4pm in England, then undergoing and passing the medical.

Leicester have missed out on a great deal to aid their Premier League promotion push

Getting a player of Sensi's calibre and experience for less than the reported £2.25 million, if Leicester do end up getting promoted, would have been an absolute bargain.

He hasn't had as many opportunities this season for the Nerazzuri, but his 2022/23 campaign with Monza proved his quality.

One thing that would have concerned fans had he signed would have been his injury record.

Sensi missed a large chunk of games in September and October, and he was also injured close to the end of last season too but that is the sort of thing that Leicester can afford to look over a bit when you have their depth.

Being able to keep hold of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after reported offers from Arsenal, Brentford, and Brighton has certainly boosted their chances of promotion this season.

The Foxes also boast Premier League quality in their midfield with the likes of Harry Winks, Wilfried Ndidi, and Hamza Choudary all playing in the top flight, but it does feel as though an opportunity has been missed on Sensi.

Sensi waited and waited, but it wasn’t to be, returning to the San Siro where he will finish the campaign as an Inter player, likely on the sidelines, and be released on a free - something Leicester could pursue when the summer transfer window opens in the next few months.