Claudio Ranieri says Leicester City won’t sell Leonardo Ulloa on the cheap

Leonardo Ulloa handed in a transfer request after growing frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities at Leicester City.

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Leonardo Ulloa’s agent Horacio Rossi has branded Claudio Ranieri a “liar” and claimed the Italian had broken a number of promises he made to the Argentine. (Source: Reuters)

Premier League champions Leicester City will not be pressured into selling unsettled striker Leonardo Ulloa for a cut-price fee, manager Claudio Ranieri said on Thursday.

Ulloa, who has made one league start this season, handed in a transfer request after growing frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities at Leicester, according to British media reports.

“I want him because he is a good player, of course he would like to play more,” Ranieri told reporters on Thursday. “If somebody wants Leo they will have to pay and that is it.”

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Ulloa’s agent Horacio Rossi has branded Ranieri a “liar” and claimed the Italian had broken a number of promises he made to the Argentine during the close season.

“The agent said I am a liar. If I’m a liar, I don’t want to say what (he is),” Ranieri added. “With Leo I always have a fantastic relationship.”

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka confirmed midfielder Gaston Ramirez had handed in a transfer request amid reported interest from Leicester but Ranieri remained tight-lipped.

“I don’t confirm anything. I don’t speak about speculation. In six days you will see everything,” he said.

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Leicester travel to face second-tier side Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday before a league trip to face Burnley four days later.