Leicester reach verbal agreement for World Cup defender and remain in talks for £20m Leeds winger

Leicester City have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign highly-rated Stoke centre-back Harry Souttar, with a fee of £15m being settled upon.

Meanwhile, the Foxes are also pushing to sign Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his squad in an attempt to avoid a relegation battle.

These are two potentially huge deals for the former Premier League champions, so Leicester fans could be in for a very interesting deadline day.

According to Sky Sports News, the structure of the deal for Souttar is still being discussed between all parties, but the Australian international is expected to take his medical at the Foxes training ground today.

The Potters defender has been a key figure in Alex Neil’s side this season, as well as performing admirably in the World Cup for Australia.

Stoke have already rejected a £10m offer from Leicester for Souttar, while other clubs have registered an interest. However, it seems their latest £15m bid has been successful.

As mentioned, the Foxes are currently in the midst of a relegation battle, sitting in 14th place in the table just one point adrift from the drop zone, so there is a clear need to make new additions.

Their two main centre-backs Daniel Amartey and Wout Faes have shown glimpses of good form, but they need more competition given Leicester have conceded the second-most amount of goals in the division. 

Indeed, Souttar could be an excellent signing for Rodgers as he has quickly emerged as one of the Championship’s best defenders. Also, being a 24-year-old, he has the potential to get even better.

A towering figure standing at 6ft 6, the Aussie is strong in the air, with a no-nonsense style that would go down well with Leicester supporters.

Souttar has also picked up some valuable experience playing alongside former Everton captain Phil Jagielka, so if he can reach anywhere near the levels the former England international reached in his career then he will become a top player.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leicester are also eyeing a last-minute move for Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.

On Twitter, he said: “Understand Leicester are now still pushing to sign Jack Harrison as negotiations continue. Leeds United, set to make a decision later today.

“Deal will also depend on Leeds’s chances to sign new offensive player in the final hours of the window.”

The Foxes have reportedly already made a £20m bid to sign the English attacker, with negotiations expected to continue as they eye a stunning deadline day move.

Rodgers has already added Brazilian winger Tete to his squad this month, but more quality additions certainly wouldn’t go amiss as they look to stave off the threat of relegation.

The Englishman scored a fantastic goal in Leeds’ 3-1 FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley on Saturday, showing his importance to the team. So, the Elland Road faithful would likely be frustrated to see him go.

However, as we all know, money talks in football. So Harrison is definitely one to watch as we enter the final hours of the January transfer window.

READ MORE: Top ten transfers which should go through on a weirdly exciting January deadline day