Leicester City transfer news: Anthony Knockaert linked with Standard Liège switch

Foxes may lose French winger in the summer

(Getty)

Royal Standard de Liège are closing in on the signature of Leicester City winger Anthony Knockaert, according to Parisian football newspaper L'Équipe.

The 23-year-old has been out-of-favour for Nigel Pearson’s men in the Premier League this season, but his stock is still high abroad after making 42 appearances last year as the Foxes lifted the Championship title.

Knockaert’s contract expires in the summer and the Belgian giants are confident of luring him away despite the Leicester hierarchy hoping he will sign a ‘very fair’ extension until 2017.

The winger joined the East Midlands club from French side Guingamp in 2012 but he has made just nine top flight appearances this term.

The form of Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton is largely to blame for his limited opportunities but Knockaert has struggled to break into the side all season.

Nigel Pearson (GETTY IMAGES)

Pearson’s men have won five in six matches as they continue to haul themselves clear of relegation, but the former Southampton boss is keen to keep his squad together in the off-season.

They face his former club Saints at the King Power Stadium this weekend before the trip to Sunderland on Saturday 16 May. A final-day clash with Queens Park Rangers awaits the Foxes.