Leicester’s transfer business affected by breach of spending rules, says Cooper

Leicester City’s dealings in the summer transfer market could have turned out differently if the outcome of their successful appeal against the Premier League in a case of alleged breaches of spending rules had been announced earlier, manager Steve Cooper said.

The promoted team was able to avoid a possible point deduction when its appeal was upheld earlier this month. It justified this by arguing that an independent commission was not competent in this case.

“It’s obviously a positive thing,” Cooper told reporters on Thursday.

“That makes me a little more frustrated because if we had found out earlier (in the summer transfer window) it could have been different. I have to get over that first but I’m really happy with the squad.”

According to media reports, there were several transfer targets between Leicester and the Portuguese side that failed to materialise, including Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson, who was loaned to Fulham, and Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, who signed for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Leicester have signed several players during the summer transfer window, including midfielder Oliver Skipp from Tottenham Hotspur and centre-back Caleb Okoli from Serie A side Atalanta.

However, Cooper welcomed the decision as it brought clarity to the club.

“It’s good that the fans have clarity and that also applies to football. We, as a group of players and staff, were ready to stand up and fight for the club if there was a negative decision,” said the 44-year-old.

“We have to continue to make sure that we stay together as a club and show how strong we are. All of this makes the challenge even greater, but we are ready for it.”

Leicester, who have one point from three league games, visit Crystal Palace on Saturday.