Liverpool rocked as Leicester agree deal for international defender

LEICESTER have agreed a deal to buy Daniel Amartey from FC Copenhagen, the Danish club have confirmed.

 

Leicester have a bid accepted for Copenhagen's Daniel Amartey

 

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri has set his sights on the Ghana international in a bid to bolster his squad as his side compete for the Premier League title.

A statement on Copenhagen's official website read: "A deal has been agreed between FC Copenhagen and Leicester City FC for Daniel Amartey.

"The agreement has been signed on the assumption that Amartey and Leicester City FC as expected come to an agreement on a few personal/minor details."

Leicester find themselves level on points with leaders Arsenal, who have a superior goal difference to Ranieri's side.

 

The 21-year-old will become the second January arrival at the King Power Stadium after Demarai Gray joined from Birmingham for £3.75million.

Liverpool have also been linked with Amartey, who can play as a midfielder as well as a defender, as Jurgen Klopp looks to solve his injury crisis at Anfield.

The Reds, who recently sign QPR's centre-half Steven Caulker on loan, have struggled with injuries all season and currently have eight first-team players on the treatment table.

But the Foxes look to have won the race for Amartey as Copenhagen confirm a fee has been agreed for the transfer and that the player just needs to finalise personal terms.

 

Claudio Ranieri is keen to strengthen his Leicester side this month

 

Daniel Amartey's arrival will likely see Gokhan Inler leave on loan

 

Copenhagen chief executive Anders Horsholt added: "We cannot turn down a transfer of this size because generally speaking, it is the best outcome for FC Copenhagen.

"It is part of our strategy as a club and a company to develop players to a level where they get so attractive that clubs from the biggest leagues will buy them for large sums of money."

The Danish outfit have also announced the signing of Erik Johanssonm from Gent, with the midfielder likely coming in as Amartey's replacement.

Amartey's arrival at Leicester is likely to trigger a loan move for Gokhan Inler, with the Switzerland captain wanting first-team football ahead of Euro 2016.