Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly interested in signing Leuven midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the top flight of Belgian football last season, playing 40 competitive matches across all competitions.
Banzuzi has continued his swift development during the opening months of this campaign, scoring once and providing five assists from 16 Belgian Pro League appearances.
The towering midfielder also possesses relative international pedigree, having earned his maiden call-up for Netherlands Under-21s in the autumn.
Since making the switch from Dutch outfit NAC Breda to Leuven in the summer window of 2023, Banzuzi has featured on 58 occasions, scoring five times.
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Leicester, Brighton keen on Dutch youngster Banzuzi?
According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, Banzuzi's stay in the Belgian Pro League and Leuven could be approaching its conclusion after just 18 months.
The report claims that Premier League strugglers Leicester are keen on securing the services of the 19-year-old during the January transfer window.
It is believed that the Foxes have already submitted an offer for Banzuzi, who is now looking to make the next step in his blossoming career.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's men are set to face competition for the midfielder, though, with top-flight contenders Brighton also keen on the player.
Eyeing up a club record sale in the New Year, Belgian side Leuven are supposedly demanding up to £12m for the highly-regarded talents of Banzuzi.
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Vested interest and other Leicester options
Including a 12.5% sell-on clause into the deal that saw Banzuzi depart for Leuven in 2023, NAC Breda will be watching the player's situation with a vested interest in the coming months.
Although he is undoubtedly an exciting talent, the 19-year-old is unproven at the top level of European football, meaning that there are no guarantees that he hits the ground running at Leicester.
A tried-and-tested option in the engine room for the Foxes would be former player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who is reportedly available for a transfer in January from Chelsea.
Carter White
