Leicester City manager Russell Martin has outlined his stance on Sheffield United target Harry Souttar

Leicester City manager Russell Martin is hoping to retain Sheffield United target Harry Souttar.

The towering centre-back spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Bramall Lane, impressing before injury cruelly curtailed his campaign.

He only returned from his lengthy lay-off in the dying embers of Leicester’s 2025/26 campaign, which ended in relegation to League One.

Sheffield United are on Souttar’s trail and the 27-year-old has also been linked with the likes of West Ham United, Wrexham and Stoke City.

Harry Souttar has been linked with a move away from Leicester City. | Dan Istitene/Getty Images

placeholder image — Harry Souttar has been linked with a move away from Leicester City. | Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Russell Martin outlines clear stance on Harry Souttar

Martin, however, has made it clear an exit will only be sanctioned if the offer on the table is “right” for Leicester.

After Leicester’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Coventry City at the weekend, Martin told the Leicester Mercury: “There's been a couple of offers, but no discussions, and the answer has been no.

“We're looking for people who will add to the squad in a few positions. It'll become clear for you guys over the next couple of weeks when we see people come in, we might see people go - I hope Harry's not one of them.

“People will only leave when it's right for us and it's right for them, both parties are happy with how it looks. I wouldn't usually comment on people staying or going, but we have an opposition manager in Chris [Wilder], who I really like, that keeps talking about one of our players, but right now there's literally nothing to talk about.

“He played brilliantly today [against Coventry], he'll be involved next week, as it stands, and I'm really enjoying working with him.”

Harry Souttar joined Sheffield United on loan from Leicester City in 2024. | Ed Sykes/Getty Images

Harry Souttar’s situation

Souttar would arguably be a shrewd addition to the Sheffield United ranks, someone capable could of shoring up a defence that was leaky on too many occasions last term.

However, Leicester are keen to secure an immediate promotion back to the Championship and will be keen to avoid losing too many key figures.

Souttar may well have ambitions of playing higher than League One level, but Leicester are the club currently paying his wages.

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