Leicester City hijack West Brom move for Hull City defender James Chester - reports

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri swoops in with 11th hour bid for Hull defender

(Getty)

Leicester City have reportedly entered the race the sign Hull City defender James Chester hours after West Bromwich Albion had an £8m offer accepted.

The 26-year-old has left the East Yorkshire club's pre-season training camp in Austria for talks with Tony Pulis and pictures taken this morning appear to confirm his absence.

Chester made 27 appearances for Hull last season, scoring two goals, as Steve Bruce's men were relegated back to the Championship alongside Queens Park Rangers and Burnley. According to the Yorkshire Post, the Foxes have now revealed their hand with a similar offer.

The Wales international has extra motivation to remain in the Premier League next term with Chris Coleman's side looking a good bet to qualify for their first European Championships next summer in France.

It remains to be seen how accommodating Hull will be to news of Leicester's interest with a long-standing feud existing between the two clubs after Nigel Pearson's decision to leave the KC Stadium in 2011.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri (Getty)

Now managed by Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes are likely to be optimistic that any bad feelings have passed as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of the new campaign.

Hull have been reluctant to let Chester leave this summer but the capture of Ryan Taylor yesterday evening (Monday) has given Bruce some well-needed experience at the back ahead of their curtain-raiser against Huddersfield Town on 8th August.

The 30-year-old former Newcastle defender has been training with the Tigers squad along with Wilson Palacios in recent weeks and has done enough to earn a one-year deal with the East Yorkshire club.

Hull announced Taylor's arrival alongside confirmation of a deal to take Chesterfield midfielder Sam Clucas to the KC Stadium after the former Mansfield Town man scored 9 goals in 41 appearances last term.