Leicester City have rejected an approach from recently promoted League One side Mansfield Town for defender Lewis Brunt, according to boss Nigel Clough. 

Mansfield Town had been keen to reunited with defender Lewis Brunt, following his impressive loan spell with them in the 23/24 season. The 23-year-old played a key role as the Stags achieved promotion back to the third tier of English football.

He appeared 40 times for Clough’s side, which has seemingly prompted the experienced boss to attempt to bring him to the club on a permanent basis. However, speaking to The Chad, Clough confirmed that he had seen a bid rejected for the player, indicating that he will continue in his attempts.

“We put a bid in which was rejected and unfortunately we might be too far apart in terms of their valuation and what we can pay.

“But we will keep trying with it and we always have the loan option as well. Negotiations are ongoing.

“We are certainly not ruling him out. He remains our number one target.”

A Worthwhile Move For Mansfield Town?

The talented defender played an instrumental role in Mansfield’s promotion to League One, he was at the heart of their defence for the vast majority of the season. The first challenge for any successful side is to ensure that the core of their squad stay together then to add improvements to go even further. Should they miss out on Brunt, it will leave a huge hole in defence that will be difficult to fill against some harder opposition forwards in the league above.

It could well be a case that the two sides meet in the middle, but at 23, Leicester City may feel like they can squeeze a bit more money out of their asset if he has another successful season this year.

It is perhaps more likely that he returns to the club on loan rather than permanently as the Premier League side know he will be looked after, but they also make the most of the development of who is still a young player.