Leicester looking to snatch Gareth McAuley

The Foxes have contacted their former defender about the prospect of returning to the club, leaving the Baggies staring at a potential fight to keep the popular 35-year-old.

Albion have made the Northern Ireland international an opening offer in the hope he will agree a deal to extend his successful four-year stint at The Hawthorns. But Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is planning to table a rival offer to take McAuley, who is a free agent after his Hawthorns contract expired, back to the club where he spent two years from 2006.

Albion boss Tony Pulis is keen to keep McAuley, who has been a huge hit since making a surprise step up to the top flight under former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson.

However, McAuley is expected to reject Albion's opening bid, giving Pearson hope he could be lured to the King Power Stadium.

McAuley has made 138 appearances in his four years at The Hawthorns, playing a major role in top-half finishes under both Hodgson and Steve Clarke.

Albion are only willing to offer McAuley a one-year deal because of his age, although the Foxes are expected to follow a similar policy.

Pulis said: "The club are talking to Gareth and I'm lucky because when it comes to contracts I don't really get involved.

"I am a big fan of Gareth. I thought he was smashing for us last season and he is great around the training ground.

"But I just let the club get on with talking to players and we will see what happens."

Midfielder Claudio Yacob has a new contract on the table while goalkeeper Boaz Myhill will be offered a new deal but, unlike McAuley, the pair are tied to Albion for next season.