Leicester City are in talks with Monaco about a possible £20million deal for Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to reports.
The 21-year-old helped Belgium to the World Cup semi-final in the summer, and has been monitored by Claude Puel for some time.
The Foxes chief expected January to be a quiet month in terms of transfers, claiming it is difficult finding bargain deals in the mid-season window – but he could now be about to seal a last-gasp addition to his squad, say Sky Sports.
Tielemans was once considered one of the brightest prospects in world football after impressing as a 16-year-old with his boyhood club Anderlecht.
He spent four years with the Belgian First Division A side, scoring 26 goals in 139 league appearances and winning the league twice.
After being tracked by a number of top clubs, Tielemans moved to Ligue 1 side Monaco in the summer of 2017.
He struggled in his first season – but this term has there has been an upturn in his form, despite his side being in a relegation battle.
He has netted five times in 20 appearances as his side struggle at the foot of the table in 19th position.
Puel is lacking a ball-playing midfielder in the middle of the park, with Adrien Silva’s Leicester future in serious doubt and Vicente Iborra sold to Villareal earlier this month after struggling to adapt in the Premier League.
Tielemans, who has been capped 14 times for Belgium, could be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Foxes with his ability to unlock defences with a pass.