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LONDON. — Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will earn a five million pound bonus if his team win the English Premier League soccer title, the Times reported yesterday. Italian Ranieri also has a separate clause in his contract that guarantees him 100 000 pounds for every place that his team finish above 18th, which will see him earn 1,7 million pounds if the Foxes come first.

When Ranieri took charge of Leicester in the close season, he was tasked with keeping the team in the English Premier League. Leicester’s owners wrote a number of clauses into his contract to make a parting of ways easier if he failed.

Ranieri asked for clauses of his own, granting him incentives if the club qualified for the Europa League, the Champions League or won the English Premier League. He currently earns about 1,5 million pounds a year, according to the report, and is in discussions with the club over a new contract.

Leicester need three points from their last three games to win their first top-flight title and will be crowned champions if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow or if second-placed Tottenham Hotspur lose to Chelsea on Monday night.

When asked earlier in the season if Leicester’s players would also be entitled to a bonus if the team won the title, Ranieri said: “I don’t know if there is a clause (for players) and I don’t tell you. They made a mistake if they didn’t arrange it. I considered if I win the league.”

Leicester City defender Danny Simpson insists the prolonged absence of star striker Jamie Vardy won’t stop the English Premier League leaders clinching the most incredible title triumph in English football history at Manchester United tomorrow.

Ranieri’s side have the eyes of the world on them as they head to Old Trafford knowing a victory against United would see the 5 000-1 outsiders crowned champions for the first time in their 132-year history.

Fixtures (4pm unless stated)

Today: Arsenal v Norwich (6:30pm), Everton v Bournemouth, Newcastle v Crystal Palace, Stoke v Sunderland, Watford v Aston Villa, West Brom v West Ham

Tomorrow: Manchester United v Leicester (3:05pm), Southampton v Manchester City (5:30pm), Swansea v Liverpool (1pm)

Monday: Chelsea v Tottenham (9pm) — AFP.