Leicester are in talks over a £15million swoop for Stoke central defender Harry Souttar.
Brendan Rodgers wants a new central defender ahead of Tuesday’s deadline and Souttar is emerging as a key target.
The Foxes have already seen an offer worth £10million rejected by Stoke - but there is hope a deal can now be struck.
Souttar, an Australia international, has been a regular for Stoke since joining in 2017.
The towering defender caught the eye of potential suitors at the World Cup in Qatar last year, helping the Socceroos to reach the Round of 16 for the first time in 16 years.
Australia were knocked out by eventual champions Argentina but Souttar was a standout performer as Graham Arnold's men became the first Socceroos team to keep two clean sheets at the World Cup.
Rodgers is desperate to address his side's defensive frailties, with only Southampton conceding more than the 35 goals the Foxes have let in so far this season.
Leicester are without a win in their last five Premier League games and are just one point clear of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Villa Park on Saturday.
Souttar's displays at the World Cup were made even more impressive considering the Scotland-born defender ruptured his ACL in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in November.
The Stoke City defender - who scored six goals in his first 10 games for the Socceroos - faced a race against time to be fit in time for the tournament, but was a revelation in Qatar.
Arnold championed the centre-back's Premier League credentials after Australia beat Denmark to qualify for the Round of 16.
'I just had so much belief in that boy. I know his mentality is so strong,' the Socceroos boss told reporters.
'I tell you what, if I was a Premier League club, I‘d be banging on his door real quick. He’s that good.'
Souttar started in each of Stoke's six games in the Championship after returning from the World Cup, but was not in the squad as the Potters beat Reading 4-0 on Saturday.