Leicester City 'draw up four-man centre-back shortlist'

Leicester City have reportedly drawn up a four-man centre-back shortlist as they head into the final three weeks of the transfer window.

The Foxes are in the market for a new defender after Wesley Fofana suffered a fractured fibula in a friendly encounter with Villareal last week, ruling him out until 2022.

According to Leicester Mercury, Southampton's Jannik Vestergaard and Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak are both targets this summer, as are West Ham United's Issa Diop and Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij.

The report states that the Saints are "bracing themselves" for a bid from Leicester in the coming weeks for Vestergaard, while a £6.8m offer has already been made for former Liverpool loanee Kabak.

In addition, Brendan Rodgers is keeping a close eye on Diop, though there could be competition for the Hammers defender with Premier League trio Crystal Palace, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers also interested in his services.

As for De Vrij, Leicester have registered their interest in the experienced Dutch centre-back, though a deal to sign him this summer is unlikely.

The Foxes have already made three signings this window, recruiting Patson Daka from RB Salzburg and Boubakary Soumare from Lille for a combined £45m, while Ryan Bertrand has joined on a free transfer after leaving Southampton.