Darren Bent tackles levy and Ange says transfer summers deals is the worst signing
Darren Bent expressed his astonishment over Leicester City’s decision to spend £20 million on signing Oliver Skipp, labeling it as the worst deal of the summer transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur made significant changes to their midfield during the summer, bringing in Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray while allowing Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to leave the club.
Skipp’s move to Leicester was finalized just before the new season began, with the transfer fee reportedly exceeding £20 million. Additionally, Tottenham secured a sell-on clause for their academy graduate, ensuring a potential future financial gain if Skipp is sold again.
Leicester is hoping that the 23-year-old will add the necessary strength and quality to their midfield, forming a solid partnership with former Tottenham teammate Harry Winks as the Foxes aim to secure their Premier League status.
Despite this optimism, Bent is skeptical about Skipp being the right acquisition for Leicester in their bid to remain in the top flight.
During a talkSPORT broadcast on September 3, 2024, Bent stated, “Worst signing, Oliver Skipp, and I feel so bad saying that.” His co-host, Andy Goldstein, humorously responded, “You are a horrible man.” Bent continued, “What am I supposed to do? I just think £20 million. Is that what Leicester needed? Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks. Harry was good last year in the Championship.”
Bent’s reservations stem from whether Skipp is the type of player who can significantly enhance Leicester’s chances of staying in the Premier League. He questioned whether Leicester fans were genuinely excited about Skipp’s arrival and whether they believed he was the key to their survival in the league.
Bent even compared the signing to Chelsea’s acquisition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, noting that Chelsea’s scattergun approach to transfers made individual deals less significant in the broader context.
In our opinion, while the £20 million price tag for Skipp may seem high, it reflects the current market value for a homegrown midfielder with Premier League experience, especially one coming from a top-six club.
Skipp’s experience and potential could prove valuable for Leicester as they navigate the challenges of the Premier League. Only time will tell if this investment pays off for the Foxes, but it’s clear that they are banking on Skipp’s abilities to contribute to their success this season.
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