Claudio Ranieri is poised to continue his January strengthening by making an £8million offer for Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi next week.
Ranieri has prioritised the signing of a centre back to provide competition for Wes Morgan and Robert Huth.
Leicester had two bids rejected for Michael Keane last summer and are resigned to Burnley keeping hold of the defender in January, so Acerbi, an Italy international who had successful treatment for testicular cancer in 2014, has emerged as Ranieri's prime defensive target.
Schalke centre back Matija Nastasic has also come on to Leicester's radar but the costs attached to the former Manchester City man are prohibitive.