Leicester City are closing in on a move for Nice midfielder Nampalys Mendy as talk of N’Golo Kanté leaving the club intensifies.
Kanté was a key figure as the Foxes won the Premier League last season, but he has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer.
The France international, whose family originate from Mali, has a £20m release clause and Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have all expressed an interest.
However, Leicester are bracing themselves for life after Kanté by putting the final pieces in place for a deal with Mendy.
The King Power Stadium club had an £8m bid for the 23-year-old rejected by Nice last summer but, according to French radio station RMC, they have now returned with an improved offer.
Leicester are ready to part with around £12m for the midfielder, who has been linked with a move to England for over three years.
During his youth, Mendy, whose parents are from Senegal, was hailed as a successor to Claude Makélélé by Monaco club scout Didier Christophe.
The likes of Manchester United quickly expressed an interest but it is not until now that a concrete offer has been lodged.
Mendy’s contract with Nice expires in a year’s time, forcing the French club to either sell now or risk losing their star man on a free in 12 months.
While Leicester’s £12m bid has not been accepted yet, Mendy is said to have provisionally agreed personal terms and a deal is expected to get over the line.