Why Leicester City might want free transfer three years after £30m bid – and why they might not

It is not often, at Leicester City’s level, that top players become free agents.

City have signed a few since their return to the Premier League. There was Esteban Cambiasso, a veteran looking for a new challenge, there was Marc Albrighton, let go by his former club after they deemed he was not good enough, there was Ryan Bertrand, who could not agree a deal with his former employers.

But now they’re competing for the European spots in the Premier League, it’s rare that a player would be available for nothing who would go straight into their starting line-up. The top clubs are generally pretty savvy, and so make sure their most valuable assets are tied down. If they can’t tie them down, they sell them before they lose them for free.

But this summer, England international James Tarkowski will be a free agent. Speculation around the centre-back has been rife for a few years, and he has turned down the opportunity to extend his stay with Burnley. He’s extremely likely to be lining up with a new club next season.

But will that side be City? After all, it was only a few years ago that they were willing to pay £30m to sign him from the Clarets. Their interest was not limited to one summer either. But Burnley’s valuations always proved too much for City, and since Wesley Fofana’s arrival, they have taken a step back, with other clubs, notably West Ham and Newcastle, listed as more prominent suitors.

But now City don’t have to negotiate with Burnley, Tarkowski perhaps becomes of interest again. City do want a new centre-back this summer and Tarkowski might be on the radar because of the way he defends.

City boss Brendan Rodgers has been critical at times of team’s final-third defending. The defeat at Wolves last month was a