Leicester City’s £3 million-rated star is eager to depart before the January transfer window ends.

Danny Ward, a former first-choice goalkeeper for Leicester City, may be allowed to leave the team before the January transfer window closes, according to the most recent reports. The Wales international joined the Foxes for the first time in 2018 after moving from English powerhouse Liverpool for a reported £12.5 million; however, according to Transfermarkt, his market value is currently only £3 million. During his first four years with the Foxes, Ward was forced to start on the bench because Kasper Schmeichel was keeping the starting position in goal.

Ward made 19 appearances in all competitions in his first four seasons at Leicester City, but the goalie’s big break came in 2022 when Schmeichel was traded to Nice of France. When the Foxes were down to the Championship, the former Wrexham goalie appeared in 26 Premier League games.

Nevertheless, when Dean Smith took over the team near the end of the 2022–2023 season, Daniel Iversen replaced Ward in the starting lineup. Since then, the Welshman has struggled to return to the starting lineup and hasn’t played for the previous Premier League winners this year.

The Sun reported over the weekend that Sheffield United, a struggling team in the top flight, was eager to strengthen their goalkeeping unit and that they had found Ward to be the ideal candidate to do so on loan for the balance of the season. Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports later expanded on this, saying that Ward is eager to leave the team in order to play more first-team football [quotes via Sheffield United News]: “Sheffield United are interested in exploring a deal with Leicester City for goalkeeper Danny Ward. Sky Sports News has already reported that the Blades are in the market for a goalkeeper this window, with former Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel among those they are interested in.

However, Ward is reportedly higher on incoming manager Chris Wilder’s list of contenders, according to Sky Sports News. He is eager to transfer to a place where he can play more first-team football because his only appearances this season have been on the international stage for Wales. He is also probably going to receive a lower salary.

Author’s Perspective

It would be intriguing to see if head coach Enzo Maresca permits Ward to go this winter on loan or not. The Italian has previously acknowledged that the team will talk about a possible departure as soon as they have an offer for the goalkeeper.

But since the January transfer window started, Leicester City has already permitted Iversen to go on loan to Stoke City, so it might be dangerous to let another  keeper leave the club without a replacement.