Leicester City are reportedly seeking an eight-figure fee for the services of Wout Faes, who remains the focus of transfer speculation despite the recent closure of the summer window.
The Foxes have enjoyed a strong start under Marti Cifuentes, securing three Championship wins and suffering a single defeat against Preston North End so far.
After the club’s return to the Premier League lasted just one campaign under Steve Cooper and the largely disappointing Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester have undergone a significant squad revamp since relegation was confirmed in May, with several high earners and notable names departing the King Power Stadium.
Unsurprisingly, given the club’s stature and recent history compared to most of their second-tier rivals this season, a handful of established and high-profile players have stayed in the East Midlands following the 7PM transfer deadline on September 1st.
Faes is one such player, having been a regular in the Leicester lineup under Brendan Rodgers and Enzo Maresca since joining from Stade de Reims in September 2022.
However, with his spot now under threat following Cifuentes’ summer appointment, the club may be ready to cash in on the Belgian international’s services between now and next summer.
Leicester City set to demand eight-figure transfer for Wout Faes amid top-flight interest:
Faes initially arrived at the King Power Stadium from the French club for a £15m fee three years ago, signing a five-year deal until summer 2027.
The centre-back has since made over 120 appearances for the Foxes, experiencing two relegations and featuring in 43 of the club’s 46 league matches during their Championship-winning season of 2023/24, scoring twice.
Following Leicester’s return to the EFL this summer and amid potential points deductions for PSR breaches, Faes became the subject of transfer interest with just days left in the summer window.
It was first reported by Fabrizio Romano that Turkish Süper Lig side Besiktas had approached for the 28-time senior international’s services, just days before the Istanbul club dismissed former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær after a UEFA Conference League play-off defeat.
Later, Bundesliga club Wolfsburg reportedly entered discussions with Leicester about a possible deal before the transfer deadline, though a move for the 27-year-old did not materialize.
Now, Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, via Lazio News, claims the Foxes are willing to sell Faes between January and next June—when he enters the final year of his contract—for at least €10m, with the defender expected to reduce his wages after previous links to the Serie A club.
These reports suggest Maurizio Sarri’s side have identified the Belgian defender as a possible replacement for Jan-Carlo Simić, who recently chose to move from Anderlecht to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad instead of joining Lazio.
Wout Faes could consider a Lazio move if Leicester situation persists:
It is unsurprising Leicester want to recoup much of the fee they paid three summers ago, especially with the club’s finances still uncertain.
According to Capology—a site estimating player salaries—Faes earns £50,000 per week, ranking him among the Championship’s top earners alongside teammates like Ricardo Pereira, Harry Winks, and Patson Daka.
Such a wage is difficult to justify at present, with Cifuentes deploying a centre-back partnership of Caleb Okoli and Jannick Vestergaard in the opening weeks, limiting Faes to four substitute appearances—despite scoring an equalizer in a comeback victory over Sheffield Wednesday—and one start in the EFL Cup First Round defeat to Huddersfield Town.
If this situation continues, Faes may feel his quality exceeds a substitute role in the Championship, making a move to the Stadio Olimpico a practical option that could benefit all parties involved.