Leicester face battle to keep key defensive cog in transfer window

Leicester are facing a battle to keep Jonny Evans at the club beyond the end of the transfer window, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The defender has spent the last two seasons with the Foxes having joined from West Brom in 2018.

He has played 74 games in that time, including all 38 Premier League games last term. He is clearly a favourite of Brendan Rodgers, who has previously admitted he would “love to keep” Evans.

But he may be forced to part ways with the experienced defender as he is now in the final year of his contract. There is no sign of him signing a new deal either, despite his importance to the team.

Therefore, the Foxes may have to sell this in the coming weeks to ensure they don’t lose him for free at the end of the 2020/21 season.

The report states that a number of unnamed clubs are interested in signing the Northern Ireland international. Arsenal have previously held an interest, although it is unclear whether they are still keen.

It would be quite the blow for Leicester to lose the three-time Premier League winner, particularly with Rodgers hoping to strengthen his backline in the transfer window.

With Ben Chilwell also edging closer to a switch to Chelsea, it would leave the Foxes with some major work to do.

Preston’s Ben Davies on Rogers’ radar

The report also adds that one man who could make his way to the King Power is Preston North End’s Ben Davies.

The 26-year-old featured 36 times in the Championship last season as his side narrowly finished ninth, four points off the play-off places.

And his performances have caught the eye of Rodgers, who wants to sign him ahead of the new campaign. It is unknown whether he has been identified as a replacement for Evans.

Davies has previously been linked with a move to the top flight, with Everton, Wolves and Brighton all said to have weighed up offers.