Arnold gives Souttar an ultimatum, says he must leave Leicester

Souttar has played just 99 league minutes for Leicester City in the Championship this season.  

Graham Arnold has issued an ultimatum to one of his starting centre backs, Harry Souttar. According to the Daily Telegraph, the Socceroos boss told Souttar that he must leave Leicester City after this season if he wants to keep playing for Australia. 

‘Souttar needs to go’, says Arnold

Harry Souttar has been a first team regular for Graham Arnold since breaking through with the Socceroos in 2022. Now, it seems that Arnold is ready to move on from the 200cm-tall centre back. That is, unless Souttar changes clubs.  
 
Leicester City signed Souttar from Stoke City in 2023 after his strong performance with Australia at the 2022 World Cup. However, Souttar hasn’t developed quite like the Foxes hoped he would. He played 12 matches for Leicester last season as they were relegated from the Premier League. This year, the 25-year-old has played just 99 minutes in three league matches for Leicester in the Championship.  
 
According to Arnold, this is not enough and Souttar needs to go. Recent reports say Arnold has directly informed Souttar that he needs to improve his club situation before next season if he is going to maintain his status as a Socceroos player.  
 
Only calling players who are also playing for their club teams has been a common thing for Arnold during his time as Australia boss, which led some to question why he constantly made an exception for Souttar. Now, it seems Arnold’s patience for the Aberdeen-born giant has run out.  

Souttar’s situation at Leicester

There have been no reports about whether Souttar will take on Arnold’s advice, but it’s likely he will leave, considering it could cost him a place in Australia’s 2026 World Cup squad in just two years. However, getting out of Leicester could be difficult for Souttar.  
 
The centre back is under contract at Leicester City until 2028. To make matters worse, the Foxes signed Souttar for £15 million ($28 million AUD). It’s hard to see any club paying that much for Souttar now.  
 
One factor that could help Souttar is Leicester’s financial situation. The club is reportedly under major scrutiny from the English FA and Premier League for violating Profit and Sustainability rules. Whether they get promoted or not, they will need to raise funds. Selling Souttar could be a way to do that.

Australia vs. Lebanon preview

Despite the controversy over his club status, Souttar is expected to start both matches against Lebanon this international window. The 200cm-tall centre back has started and scored in both of Australia’s first two AFC World Cup Qualifying matches so far.  
 
Australia’s next two qualifiers, both against Lebanon, will be played on March 21 at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta and on March26 at the GIO Stadium in Canberra. 

Souttar’s performances in those matches probably won’t draw any transfer interest, but they’re worth watching to see how he responds to being challenged by his national team manager.