Town target David Norris has handed Plymouth Argyle a transfer request, according to reports in Leicester. The Foxes are amongst the Blues' rivals for Norris's signature and are said to have made a £1.5 million bid for the 26-year-old.
Leicester boss Ian Holloway was until recently Norris's manager at Plymouth and is known to rate the midfielder very highly. Before the transfer window opened, Holloway was reported to have made a £1 million offer for his former player, but the Pilgrims stated that they would not sell players to their former manager.
Since then Barry Hayles has moved from Home Park to the Walkers Stadium, so clearly Norris moving to the Foxes cannot be ruled out.
Town have revealed that they have made a second bid for the ex-Boston and Bolton man, having had their first offer of £1 million rising to £1.5 million refused. The new bid is likely to be in the region of an initial £1.5 million with further cash due on appearances and if the Blues are promoted.
Leicester's offer, if confirmed, is likely to be based on similar terms, while the Pilgrims are understood to want £2 million for Norris's services. Bolton, from whom Norris joined Plymouth for £25,000 in 2002, are due 50% of the 26-year-old's fee.
Norris's father, David senior, revealed earlier today that the Pilgrims are yet to talk to his son about a new deal with his current contract up at the end of 2008/09.
Reports suggesting Norris would hand in a transfer request first surfaced earlier in the week but are yet to be confirmed by Plymouth. Norris himself has remained conspicuously silent throughout the transfer window.
As well as vying with Leicester for Norris's signature, the Blues are targeting Foxes central defender Gareth McAuley and boss Jim Magilton has hinted that he could make a second bid for the Northern Ireland international, having had his initial offer rebuffed.