Leicester have made a £27m bid for Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, according to reports.

The Foxes are likely to lose star man Riyad Mahrez before the transfer window shuts on Thursday, and want the England international to replace him.

Townsend moved to Selhurst Park in a £13m deal from Newcastle last summer, and was an ever-present in the team.

However, he was left out of Eagles boss Frank de Boer’s starting eleven for their first game of the new season against Huddersfield.

The former Tottenham man only regained his place in the line-up after an injury to Wilfried Zaha.

The Daily Mirror say Leicester see Townsend as the perfect alternative to Mahrez.

Both players play on the right-wing with the tendency to cut in on their left foot.