Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has told Sky Sports he is keen to allow Filip Benkovic to leave on loan as Derby County and Bristol City eye a potential deal.
The Daily Mail claim both Bristol City and Derby are tacking the defender.
Leicester, however, are looking to bring in another centre-back first and have set their sights on signing Southampton’s Danish defender Jannik Vestegaard.
Speaking to reporters, Rodgers admits he is hopeful of getting a player in to allow Benkovic to move out on loan with the defender needing regular playing time.
We are hoping over the next few days if we bring in a centre-back then that will give him the chance to get out. He definitely needs the games and we’re hoping that takes early part of next week.
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Derby and Bristol City lead the charge for the Croatian’s signature.
Benkovic joined Leicester from Dinamo Zagreb for a reported £13 million. He spent the best part of last season out on loan with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
Rodgers is a big fan of the player having had him on loan at Celtic Park.
Leicester, however, have strong defensive competition and Benkovic has struggled for playing time. The 6ft 4inch stopper needs a run of games elsewhere.
Derby are desperately short on defensive options. Richard Keogh’s sacking leaves Curtis Davies, 34, and Brighton loanee Matt Clarke as the number one pairing.
While Derby’s Andre Wisdom and Craig Forsyth can also play the middle, the Rams duo have spent the majority of the past few years at fullback.
Bristol City, meanwhile, may see Benkovic as an ideal player to help their playoff push. The Robins are short at the back after selling Adam Webster to Brighton last summer.
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