Champions League would take Leicester to 'the next level'

Jamie Vardy's outstanding form has been a key factor in Leicester City's remarkable season. Credit: PA

Leicester City are making record profits, after the club announced that they are in the black after 10 consecutive years of losses.

They announced a profit of £26 million pounds for the financial year up to May 2015.

However, the club stand on the brink of making further millions of pounds if they continue their fine form and secure a place in next season's Champions League.

In 2015, UEFA announced a serious hike in the prize fees for reaching the group stages of the competition, and the money clubs stand to make if they reach the latter stages.

It is divided from the TV rights from broadcasters around the world for the rights to screen the competition ...

  • Group stage fee: £9 million

  • Group stage win: £1 million

  • Group stage draw: £300,000

  • Reaching the last 16: £4 million

  • Quarter finals: £5 million

  • Semi finals: £6 million

  • Runners up: £8 million

  • Winners: £12 million

This also does not include the huge money in extra sponsorship deals the club stands to make if they reach the Champions League, and continue to enjoy European football for successive seasons.

Leicester are currently top of the Premier League, with a four point gap over their nearest rivals.

A top three finish would guarantee a place in the Champions League for next season.

While fourth place would mean the club would need to qualify to reach the group stages.

In any case, the figures make very appealing reading for the club's Thai owners, the Srivaddhanaprabha family, and predictions for their 2015/16 financial report.