Five Youri Tielemans alternatives to replicate previous Leicester City transfer pattern

In the past, many of Leicester City's incomings have been lined-up prior to any departures at the club, leading to a pretty consistent standard of recruitment.

That isn't expected to change this summer, particularly with Youri Tielemans' exit likely. One of Brendan Rodgers' most important team members, the Belgian midfielder is set to say his farewells this summer after three-and-a-half years at the club.

Despite City's best efforts to keep hold of Tielemans by extending his contract, cashing in on the 25-year-old rules out the possibility of losing the box-to-box ace for nothing next summer when his deal comes to an end. As they did with Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell and Danny Drinkwater, the hierarchy at City will be prepared to act on losing Tielemans to not face retaining disgruntled player.

Last summer, after the club lifted their first FA Cup courtesy of Tielemans' wonder strike at Wembley Stadium, interest from Arsenal and Manchester United was fended off. A list of possible replacements would have been drawn up, with the same names possibly being identified as the right man to fill Tielemans' space in Rodgers' midfield this time around.

Rodgers isn't blinded by the Tielemans situation. The Northern Irishman has been in the game long enough to accept player sales and understands how they can sometimes offer more than to lose - as they did with Maguire in 2019.

"You always have to (make plans for a player's exit), that is key," Rodgers explained in January. "I have said it before about the pipeline of players; you always have to be looking ahead, that's important. Sometimes it happens unexpectedly, other times you know where the situation is at.

"We will always look for the type of player who suits how we work.