--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T18:55:20.255Z last_updated: 2026-06-09T10:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/leicester-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVpY2VzdGVybWVyY3VyeS5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC90cmFuc2Zlci1uZXdzL2xlaWNlc3Rlci1jaXR5LXNtYWxsYm9uZS1ydXNzZWxsLW1hcnRpbi0xMTAwNDgyMg --- # Leicester City can secure first signing Russell Martin will love - **Source:** - **Published:** 9 Jun - **Club:** Leicester City - **Original URL:** https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-smallbone-russell-martin-11004822 Alongside the noise around Russell Martin's style of play and how it would manage in League One, there is anticipation about how Leicester City's squad could look under him next season. Currently speaking, Martin is City's primary target to become their new manager for the 2026/27 season. Reports over the weekend claimed that the former Southampton and Rangers boss was in advanced talks over a move to the King Power Stadium. The prospect of Martin finally being appointed at the club after being linked with the vacancy last summer has been met with negativity from sections of the fanbase. His style of play reputation of being rigid and 'one way' has turned many away and his failed stint at Rangers hasn't helped. However, the rebuild of the squad required at Leicester means Martin should get the chance to mould his own squad. It's common knowledge that the 40-year-old wants confident, athletic, ball-playing individuals across the pitch, with emphasis on protecting the backline and penetrating in the final third with efficiency. Get LeicestershireLIVE Premium now for just £1 HERE. You can also join our WhatsApp Community by clicking HERE There is expected to be an exodus of players within Seagrave once the transfer window opens next week. It's understood that nearly every player faces some sort of uncertainty over their future. With a new face in the directors box this summer in James McCarron, the recruitment side of things at City will be the difference between the new manager succeeding or failing. For Martin, there is one obvious transfer gift the club can bring him if he's appointed. Will Smallbone played 50 times across all competitions for Southampton in the season under Martin as they earned promotion to the Premier League, scoring seven and assisting four. The central midfielder, 26, came through the highly-rated Saints academy but is expected to leave after 18 years this summer when his contract expires. He spent last season on loan with Millwall but managed just 10 appearances due to injury. It's reported that Southampton won't trigger their extension clause to keep the Republic of Ireland international at the club meaning he will be available for free. His best season of his career came under Martin in the same one that Leicester City won the Championship title. Two years later and the midfielder could easily be Martin's first piece of transfer business at LE2. "He's been so good," Martin said about Smallbone after he helped Southampton reach the play-off final. "To hear the fans singing his name when he came off [was amazing], as was the performance he put in. I've said to you a few times, it's been one of the greatest privileges of my career to watch Will grow and turn into what he's turned into "(He is) selfless. (He) runs so much. He's developing an aggressive side (to his game) now, out of possession, which I really love to see. He's going to be a top, top player for this club. He already is. He's such a valued member of the team by his teammates. He is so well-liked because of what he does. He's been an absolute star. Like everyone else, now he has to go again." On the other side of the relationship, Smallbone has only ever had good things to say on Martin. "The manager is very big on being brave and staying brave and playing way," Smallbone told The Mirror in April 2024. "I think we've done that through the majority of the season and that's why we're in the situation that we're in. "The manager and his views on football are very similar to mine. When you have such a big overhaul and change at the start of the season, there's obviously going to be mistakes. I felt like at the start of the year every time we made a mistake we were conceding. We've done well to grow out of that. "I think football is going in that possession-based direction. The way we play is very attractive on the eye, but it's obviously very tough as well because otherwise everyone would just do it. We're sticking to the principles that the manager wants. It's obviously put us in the situation that we're in, so why would we not stick to it?" Smallbone has suffered a number of injuries throughout his career, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Leicester in January 2021. A hamstring and calf issue have followed since, with the former ruling him out for months during his spell at Millwall. For Leicester, a new midfielder will come to the club. Harry Winks is expected to depart and Oliver Skipp hasn't done enough in his two years to warrant an additional one. Smallbone knows Martin, understands the system and is a player with Championship-quality. If he stays fit and away from any injury setbacks, it could be a major piece of business. Every day, the LeicestershireLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Leicester City content. Our dedicated reporter Josh Holland - who you can follow on X - follows the Foxes home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.