Leicester City are hoping to retain Marc Albrighton and would rather lose the Premier League winner for free than sell him to Burnley this summer, as reported by The Express.
He might not be the most glamourous member of Brendan Rodgers’ squad but he is one of the most reliable.
At 31, the long-serving Albrighton is a part of the furniture at the King Power Stadium these days and, whenever he is called upon, the veteran winger hardly ever disappoints.
Leicester have been linked with a hatful of talented widemen in recent weeks, from Josip Brekalo to Domenico Berardi, Leon Bailey to Brennan Johnson, but one of the heroes of that 2016 Premier League title-winning campaign still has a future in royal blue.
Will Leicester stop Marc Albrighton joining Burnley?
Albrighton might have just one year left on his contract but, according to the Express, Rodgers would be loathe to lose a man who added an FA Cup trophy to his enviable CV in May.
I love everything about Marc,” Rodgers told the Mercury after Leicester triumphed over Chelsea at Wembley.
“He prepares himself immaculately. He’s in bright and early, getting prepared for his training.
“What you see in the game, that’s how he trains, it’s incredible, he’s got great focus. He’s a great role model for our younger players in how to prepare yourself for the elite level.”
That sort of mentality – Albrighton really is an example of how far dedication and professionalism can take you in elite-level football – is a key part of the reason why fellow workaholic Sean Dyche is so keen to lure the former Aston Villa youngster to Turf Moor.
According to the Express, however, Leicester have no plans to let Burnley sign one of only three players who remain from that history-making 2015/16 squad.
In fact, they would prefer to let Albrighton see out the final 12 months of his contract rather than see him join a top-flight rival before the summer is out.
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