West Brom remain keen on Leicester winger Jeff Schlupp

17 August 2016 04:23

West Brom are refusing to give up on their chase to sign Jeff Schlupp despite having a £12million bid rejected.

The Baggies will continue to pursue the Ghana international even though Leicester are unwilling to sell him, Press Association Sport understands.

Schlupp is keen on a move to The Hawthorns as he does not want to be a bit-part player at the champions, despite the lure of Champions League football this season.

Last week Albion were close to matching the Foxes' valuation and financing the transfer fee and wages for the left-sided player are not an issue.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is determined to keep his title-winning squad together after losing N'Golo Kante to Chelsea, but has always insisted he would allow unhappy players to leave.

Schlupp was left out of the Foxes' opening day 2-1 defeat at Hull on Saturday as negotiations with Albion continued but he could yet be offered a new deal at the King Power Stadium.

He made 26 appearances in all competitions for Leicester last season, but only 14 league starts, as the Foxes won a shock title by 10 points.

The 23-year-old's position mirrors striker Leonardo Ulloa, who would considering leaving Leicester for guaranteed first-team football.

The 30-year-old was restricted to seven league starts with Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki Ranieri's first-choice forward line last term and he wants to talk to the club about his future.

Only one club, understood to be Swansea, have made a firm offer for the ex-Brighton man but the Swans have since signed Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston.

Source: PA