“Leicester Boss Insists £10m Star Was Never an Option to Sell”

Leicester City made minimal moves during the transfer window, with only one major sale—Tom Cannon’s transfer to Sheffield United.

However, the departures did not stop there, as Hamza Choudhury and Will Alves also left the club on loan deals.

There was interest from Galatasaray in Wout Faes, but the player who came closest to leaving was Kasey McAteer.

Sunderland submitted a bid for the Irish international, but Leicester rejected the offer.

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has since explained the reasoning behind this decision.

Why Leicester Rejected Sunderland’s Offer for Kasey McAteer

McAteer has had a mixed season, featuring in and out of the squad. He started the first three games under Van Nistelrooy but was sidelined due to injury.

Despite Sunderland’s loan-to-buy offer of £8 million, the Foxes chose to decline.

Van Nistelrooy addressed the decision, stating:

“One thing that was very clear to me was that nobody was leaving unless someone else came in. I think we can all understand that.

My focus is on strengthening the squad, not weakening it. That was simply unthinkable for me.

“With Hamza (Choudhury) leaving on loan, we still have enough depth in his position, so it was good for him to get minutes elsewhere.

Will Alves, being a young player, needs game time to develop, and he’ll return a better player in the summer.

“But with Kasey McAteer, it was a completely different situation.

He is a crucial part of our squad, particularly on the wings, and he will play an important role this season. Allowing him to leave was never an option.”

McAteer Was in the Best Form of His Career Before Injury

Van Nistelrooy clearly values McAteer and sees him as a key player for Leicester’s future.

However, since his injury, the 23-year-old has lost his starting spot to Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

Currently, he is limited to substitute appearances, but his manager remains confident that he will return to top form.

Speaking about McAteer’s performances, Van Nistelrooy added:

“Kasey was outstanding in our first games against West Ham and Brighton, helping us earn four crucial points.

It was really unfortunate that he picked up an injury because he was in the best form of his life. I’ve spoken to him about this.

“With injuries, it always takes time for players to regain their peak performance. He’s working hard, getting minutes from the bench, and proving his commitment in training.

He’s a great professional and is competing with the wingers currently in the squad—Stephy Mavididi, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Jordan Ayew.”

Despite the competition, McAteer remains in Van Nistelrooy’s plans. Leicester clearly sees him as a key figure, which is why they refused to let him go, even with a substantial bid on the table.

Now, as he continues his recovery, the club is hopeful that he will rediscover his form and play a significant role in the remainder of the season.