Tony Pulis’ admiration for Jeffrey Schlupp is no secret, West Bromwich Albion had several bids for the Leicester City left-footer knocked back over the summer, but their interest did not end there.
Here football editor Mat Kendrick looks at Schlupp’s current situation at the King Power Stadium and the Baggies’ prospects of landing him during the January transfer window.
How involved has he been at Leicester so far this season?
Well, more involved than many expected, but not involved enough to make him feel wanted.
Schlupp has edged ahead of former Villa winger Marc Albrighton in the battle for a wide midfield berth but he is still struggling to oust Ahmed Musa on a regular enough basis for his liking.
In total he has made six appearances so far this season. That includes starts against Chelsea in the EFL Cup and Premier League and Copenhagen in the Champions League, as well as substitute cameos in the Community Shield and Premier League against Manchester United and Tottenham in the Premier League. What frame of mind is he in?
Regular Leicester observers have noticed the previously bubbly character retreat into his shell during his frustrations over his future.
He no longer feels an important enough part of Claudio Ranieri’s squad and he is very much angling for a move away from the King Power Stadium as soon as the last strains of Auld Lang Syne signal the start of the January transfer window.
His melancholy mood was not helped by abuse from the Foxes faithful during the match against Chelsea when some Leicester fans accused Schlupp of a lack of effort and commitment.
Are Albion still interested?
Despite Pulis publicly conceding defeat in his pursuit of Schlupp towards the end of the club’s frustrating summer transfer window, the Baggies head coach is still keen on him.
Schlupp fits the Pulis profile. He is strong, quick, athletic and adaptable. The Ghana international’s versatility is a key factor.
Pulis has decided against using Everton loanee Brendan Galloway at left-back, preferring to switch right-sided defender Allan Nyom to the opposite flank, so Schlupp’s experience of playing at left-back would boost the Baggies options there.
With Christian Fuchs Leicester’s first choice No, 3, Schlupp’s opportunities have tended to come at left midfield/wing, so again his knowledge of the more advanced position would appeal to Pulis as competition or cover for James McClean.
What price are we talking?
Albion are believed to have gradually increased their bidding to around the £12 million mark during the summer, but Leicester resisted throughout.
Back then they were determined to avoid the break up of their Premier League title winning squad, limiting the departures to N’Golo Kante, who joined Chelsea.
They still have Schlupp tied to a long contract - the new deal he signed 18 months ago runs until the summer of 2019.
With that in mind they will still dismiss offers below £10 million, although a fresh £12 million bid in January could persuade them to do business this time around.
What has changed Leicester’s ‘not for sale’ stance?
In the summer it is believed that Leicester’s director of football Jon Rudkin was the driving force behind their desire to keep him.
Rudkin has combined his role with that of academy director and viewed Schlupp as a shining success story of the youth set up, hence his determination to prolong the academy graduate’s stay in the East Midlands.
Ranieri however, has always maintained that he will not stand in the way of unhappy players who want to leave. Schlupp very much fits that description now and all the signs point to Leicester being ready to cash in on him.
Are the Baggies at the front of the queue?
There are believed to be rival suitors inside and outside the Premier League, but those close to Schlupp suggest that a move to The Hawthorns would appeal to him. He is settled in the Midlands and has a point to prove in the Premier League.
He might have stopped short of issuing what us football hacks amusingly refer to as a ‘come and get me plea, but we understand that he is certainly open to the idea to Albion ringing in 2017 with a renewed resolution to sign him.