Leicester are fighting to keep their highly-coveted transfer guru Eduardo Macia amid growing interest in the Spaniard.
There are increasing concerns behind the scenes that Macia will be poached by a rival club knowing full well he is attracting interest from England and abroad.
Macia joined Leicester in September 2016 as the club's head of senior player recruitment and has enhanced his reputation as one of the best football administrators in the business.
AC Milan, it is understood, have a firm interest in finding a role for Macia within their recruitment set-up.
Sportsmail has also learned Macia has admirers within the corridors of power at Manchester United, who are considering the appointment of their first technical director.
West Ham were keen on the Spaniard, who has also worked at Liverpool, in the summer by manager Manuel Pellegrini made clear he wanted Mario Husillos, who he worked with at Malaga, alongside him as the club's sporting director.
Aston Villa have also been credited with an interest, but there seems little benefit for Macia in leaving a Premier League side for a Championship.
The Foxes are well aware of the interest in Macia from elsewhere, but are ready to pull out all the stops to persuade the talent-spotter his future remains at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester lost Steve Walsh, who was credited with discovering N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, to Everton in 2016 - his departure coming as a huge blow to the club.
But Macia, whose contacts book has opened the door to Leicester attracting some of the continents leading talents, has helped ease the difficulties from Walsh's departure and the club are determined not to lose him.