Gokhan Inler to Leicester City: Claudio Ranieri targets Napoli midfielder to replace Esteban Cambiasso in the centre

Claudio Ranieri has already signed N'Golo Kanté and Yohan Benalouane

Gökhan Inler was a hit with Napoli fans (Getty)

Leicester City are reportedly closing in on the £3.1m capture of Napoli midfielder Gökhan Inler as Claudio Ranieri nears the conclusion of his hunt for a suitable replacement for Esteban Cambiasso.

The former Udinese star has 83 international caps for Switzerland to his name and Foxes boss Ranieri sees him as the perfect man to fill the gargantuan void left by Argentinian legend Cambiasso.

According to both La Gazetta dello Sport and Calcio Mercato, two of the biggest sports outlets in Italy, the 31-year-old has been informed that Napoli have accepted an offer from Leicester for his services.

The Italian reports suggest the Foxes have offered Inler, who has lifted the Coppa Italia twice, a contract in the region of £1.8m-per-year and his agent Dino Lamberti is believed to be in England this evening (Monday). Despite rumours that Inler had rejected Leicester emerging over the weekend, the reports on the continent offer fresh hope to Foxes fans.

Chiefly among Inler's motivations to join the Premier League outfit is the security of a three-year deal while the opportunity to be the cornerstone of Ranieri's side is also likely to appeal.

Leicester have already sealed the £5.6m transfer of Atalanta defender Yohan Benalouane just hours after signing N'Golo Kanté from Caen for the same fee.

French-born Tunisian international Benalouane, who made 27 Serie A appearances last season, joins the Foxes on a four-year deal and will wear the no. 29 shirt at the King Power Stadium.

The 28-year-old confirmed to members of the Italian media over the weekend that Atalanta had received an offer they couldn't refuse from the Premier League outfit. Kanté joined for the same fee this afternoon after Leicester beat off interest from Marseille.

The Foxes had been locked in negotiations with the 24-year-old since late May, with the 5ft 6in central midfielder preferring to join the Ligue 1 side, but secured the deal after out-muscling their transfer rivals.