Leicester are set to sign French full-back Woyo Coulibaly from Parma in a £3m deal. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Meanwhile, the Foxes are open to selling defender Wout Faes at the end of the season to ensure they meet profit and sustainability regulations. (Sky Sports Switzerland - in French, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesHarry Panayiotou celebrates scoring for Saint Kitts and Nevis against San Marino
Premiership champions Larne have brought in forward Harry Panayiotou until the end of the season.
The 30-year-old Saint Kitts and Nevis international played under Larne's head of football Nathan Rooney at Bruno's Magpies before moving to Sirens FC in Malta last year.
Panayiotou began his career at Leicester City and scored the winner against Leeds United on his senior debut in 2012.
Spells at clubs in England, Scotland and Greece followed before he scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for Aldershot Town in the National League in the 2020/21 season.
"It's nice to get the move over the line, I've been speaking to the club for around a week or so and now that we've managed to get the deal over the line I'm buzzing," said Panayiotou, who has netted 12 times in his 38 caps for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
"As a player I'm a forward who can act as a bit of an all-rounder – I can come short but can also play long if required. I'm looking forward to getting the head down in training, getting sharper and hopefully getting some minutes when the Gaffer calls on me."
Panayiotou's international clearance will not come through in time for Tuesday's BetMcLean Cup semi-final against Cliftonville but he will be available to face Glentoran in the Premiership on Saturday.
"I have previously worked with Harrison for a short period of time in the past and I know what he will be able to bring to our group in terms of experience, having played at similar levels in England and Scotland, alongside other leagues in Europe," said Rooney.
"As a player, he possesses good hold-up play for a centre-forward, while also being able to lead the line in terms of pressing really well with an ability to mix up his movements in the box which is something that is vital that our forward line continues to do."
Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist
Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news, Van Nistelrooy said there is "no news on injuries". Jannik Vestergaard was part of team training on Monday and Leicester expect him to be in Wednesday's squad.
On their FA Cup fourth round draw against Manchester United: "I was hoping for a home game against a team in a league below us maybe, or two. But then the first team that got [drawn] out was United and then we were second. It is going to be the third time. It's going to be Manchester United and Leicester in three different competitions so, special. Also special to go back there, that's for sure."
Leicester have been linked with Parma defender Woyo Coulibaly, but Van Nistelrooy said "we cannot confirm any news on any new player, so let's see how things develop".
On the transfer window: "The most important thing is from the conversations in December that we've had before I signed – we're aligned with that. It's clear what is possible and what's not. We are aligned and in the process looking to strengthen but it has to be the right one. As I said before it's a responsibility to get the right players in within the possibility so that's the main thing."
On the pressure as Leicester manager: "The pressure is fantastic. You have to embrace it and be happy to be able to show what you've got as an individual, as a team in these key moments. Every second we're in this league, we have to be ready and happy that we're there and that we're competing, that we can show who we are. It's a fantastic challenge these two home games."
On whether Leicester are good enough to stay up: "It's not a maybe. I see the characteristics and qualities in players that are there. That is the most important thing. When I first signed, I believed it was possible with this squad to stay in. We need luck. Losing Mads [Hermansen] and Abdul Fatawu were big blows but we have to adjust and find ways. We've shown over the past six weeks that we're making the steps in the right direction to make sure performances get turned into points."
On Crystal Palace: "A game of football is never the same. I look at their squad, I look at their players and the qualities they have within the team, from back to front and that is a very good Premier League side. We have to be aware of that. Very strong centre-backs and very good wing-backs, players up front that can change the game in a matter of seconds. It's going to be a tough one for us. We want to compete, do well, show what we're about in our way and it's a good challenge for Wednesday."
Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator at the King Power Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesIn the build-up, Saturday had all the ingredients of a 'cupset'.
Leicester were in poor form (five straight defeats), struggling to score and unable to keep goals out. QPR were tough to beat (one loss in 11), and having made a perfect start to 2025 with two wins from two.
Throw in some unrelenting fog and there was understandably a lot of optimism among the near 5,000 travelling supporters.
The reality turned out to be a largely entertaining and enjoyable FA Cup afternoon for the home fans. Given recent results, this was a must win - anything less did not bear thinking about.
Ruud van Nistelrooy told me before the game the strength of the matchday squad he named was both out of respect for the competition, but also the desperate need to bring back the feel-good factor.
After conceding two soft goals against Championship opposition it is clear defensive frailties remain, something which surely needs to be addressed in the January transfer window. However, the Leicester manager will have enjoyed an attacking display that brought 10 goal involvements across seven different players.
The boss told me afterwards: "The overall performance was good - lots of good movement, crosses and finishes".
After what was only his 12th game as a manager in English football, and eighth at Leicester, the Dutchman was also keen to stress how he has been in charge for only "six weeks".
While reassured his side are moving in the right direction, they are far from the finished article, adding: "Our game play, game model and identity is coming on, little by little."
While many will insist Leicester are supposed to beat a Championship outfit, full-back James Justin said the result delivered "a massive boost" ahead of Wednesday's home game against Crystal Palace.
He was level-headed enough to admit "there is lots to work on" but felt the game was a much needed "confidence booster" in what he hopes could be a "big week" for the squad.
Justin's comments relate to results on the pitch, but there are off-field matters that also mean it will be a significant few days for the club. BBC Radio Leicester's understanding is that on Tuesday the Premier League will notify those who have breached profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) within their 2023-24 accounts.
Should Leicester be found to have complied with PSR then I would expect a swift resolution towards Van Nistelrooy's desire to "strengthen" the squad during the January transfer window, and provide even greater optimism they can drag themselves back up the Premier League table.
However, if they were found to have breached PSR - with the possibility of a points deduction as punishment - the already uphill challenge of remaining within the division, may then become insurmountable.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers.
Here are some of your comments:
James: Far from vintage Leicester, but job done relatively comfortably and a 'cupset' avoided. Despite the fog, it was clear for all to see that QPR were not there to be walked over and gave us a good scare. The apparent Premier League quality did shine through in the end. Defensive frailties remain and could be seen through the murky conditions, so the transfer priorities remain unchanged. Get on with it Ruud!
Kiran: Although we won, they made two mistakes again. They didn't make any difference, but in a Premier League game would have cost us. These mistakes must be cut out.
Martyn: Great to see a higher press and more goalscorers. I have never understood why we do not shoot from outside the area more often? Facundo Buonanotte must retain his place now.
Ian: How can they play like this in a cup match and not play with this much passion in the league? Pull your finger out or it's back down in May.
Geoff: A lot better but still no clean sheet. One thing for certain is to get Tom Cannon back who scored again [for Stoke] and sell Patson Daka if we can. He has shown no progress over the past three years.
The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.
Games will be played over the weekend of 8 February.
Manchester United v Leicester
Brighton v Chelsea
Exeter v Nottingham Forest
Coventry v Ipswich
Blackburn v Wolves
Mansfield/Wigan v Fulham
Birmingham v Newcastle
Plymouth v Liverpool
Everton v Bournemouth
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Southampton v Burnley
Leyton Orient/Derby v Manchester City
Doncaster v Crystal Palace
The latest episode of the When You're Smiling podcast has landed.
BBC Radio Leicester's Jack Rafferty is joined by Michael Appleton to analyse Leicester's convincing victory against QPR on Saturday.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesIn all competitions, Facundo Buonanotte has more goal involvements in 20 appearances for Leicester City this season (eight – five goals and three assists) than he does in 50 appearances for parent club Brighton and Hove Albion (seven – five goals and two assists).
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Leicester City's performance
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
The FA Cup third round continues on Saturday, with three Premier League teams involved in early kick-offs.
This is how you can follow the action:
Bristol City v Wolves (12:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Liverpool v Accrington Stanley (12:15) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Leicester v QPR (14:00)
Kick-off times GMT
Image source, BBC SportBBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for all 32 FA Cup third round games and given his verdict on who will make it into round four.
For this week's matches he is up against actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, who is a Liverpool fan.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
What does Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy do here?
His side are in the relegation zone, after five straight defeats. While you may say they should focus on trying to stay up, they are clearly desperate for some confidence and the FA Cup could help give them some.
I suspect he will a) want to get a win under his belt and b) avoid the embarrassment of losing to a Championship side at home.
QPR are in mid-table but they have just won back-to-back games, against Luton and Watford, and they will make things difficult for the Foxes.
It is going to be close but Van Nistelrooy badly needs a win to end this run his side are on, and I think he will get it.
Billy's prediction: 2-2, QPR to win on penalties
Image source, Getty ImagesThe FA Cup third round is well under way, with Premier League sides Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa the clubs already booking their places in the fourth-round draw with wins on Thursday and Friday.
But for other sides hoping for a healthy cup run this season, when will the draw take place?
The draw will be live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer following the conclusion of the Arsenal v Manchester United tie, which kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.
It will include 32 teams - with all third-round matches this weekend settled on the day - and the resulting ties will be played over the weekend commencing Saturday, 8 February.
Image source, Getty ImagesNone of the past 11 meetings between Leicester and QPR in all competitions have been drawn, with the Foxes winning six times to QPR's five.
The London side were victorious in the most recent such meeting, winning 2-1 at King Power Stadium in the Championship last season.
About a third of the way through the January transfer window, Leicester are yet to make any new signings.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling Podcast, Daily Mail football reporter Tom Collomosse put forward a possible reason why the Foxes might be taking a cautious approach this month.
"I think there's something else happening here with the possibility of PSR charges," Collomosse said. "Leicester won't want to do anything to annoy the people who are going to decide if they will be charged or not.
"I know that the accounts that the Premier League are looking at are not related to the accounts period that they are in now - but if the Premier League are looking at your accounts and you suddenly sign someone for £15m pounds, it could look like they are taking the mick.
"I think that this will be certainly be playing a part in Leicester's caution here. Maybe if there is a verdict at the start of next week, we might see things become a little bit clearer in the transfer market."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, profit and sustainability rules are the key topic of discussion.
The January transfer window is open, so potential incomings and outgoings at the King Power Stadium are very much on the agenda.
Owynn Palmer-Atkin is joined by Michael Appleton and the Daily Mail's Tom Collomosse in the latest episode, discussing whether Leicester should be worried about PSR, and how that may affect their dealings this month.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist
Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against QPR (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are no fresh injury concerns; Kasey McAteer is "back in full team training and if he can continue that, he could be available for the game." Jannik Vestergaard is doubtful, while there is "no update" on injured goalkeeper Mads Hermansen who will be "out for a bit longer".
On whether Leicester are close to signings in January: "We're in the middle of the process. It's clear what we want and where we want to strengthen. We're working on that day and night. I see the importance of it. I also feel a strong responsibility to get the right players in, in the right positions, where I feel it's important for the squad and for the club in the long term. It's a delicate process. It takes time. It requires a lot of effort and work to bring in the right players."
On the type of players they want to recruit: "What I've tried to do here with the coaching staff has been to create a style of play and players who fit into that are the profiles that can make our play better and can get us to better results. Those are the profiles we have been talking about with recruitment and also with the people responsible for signing these players. That has all been cleared and done, then the search began. It started in mid-December, right when I came in, and hopefully we can present something soon but it has to be the right thing."
Van Nistelrooy said he is a "proud winner" of the FA Cup: "I know how much it meant to me to win it with Manchester United. The games you play, tough games, now there are no replays, straight into penalties but it's a fantastic tournament to be a part in. It's important to take it very seriously. We plan to win every game we approach but we have to look at the condensed schedule, what is important and resting players or players with little injuries. That won't change, we'll keep doing that. Of course we have to say the Premier League games for this club are vital."
On team selection: "We'll address the squad over the coming days. It's important to keep our development going. We want to break the current run of defeats. We want to do well, play well and gain confidence. Those are all parts I'm thinking about and then I'll make decisions about selection."
Van Nistelrooy said QPR's upturn in form in the Championship is a "great example of how things can turn around when you keep working and doing what you believe in".
Follow Thursday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
The latest When You're Smiling podcast has landed.
BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin and former Foxes winger Matt Piper are joined by a fan to reflect on the defeat by Aston Villa.
Plus they discuss how to remove individual errors in the team and whether Ruud van Nistelrooy can find a Robert Huth-style player in the January transfer window to tighten the defence.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Kate Blakemore
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaConsecutive fixtures of Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa would see most teams struggle to pick up points. Add a relegation scrap into the mix and the likelihood of points becomes even lower.
However, after taking the lead at Anfield and going toe to toe with City in what was arguably our best performance of the season, I think most fans felt reasonably confident something could be obtained at Villa Park.
However, when you are struggling for form and confidence, and individual errors are becoming an unwanted appearance in your repertoire, things never go quite to plan.
The booing of players has become a talking point for the second time in a month for the Foxes - not what you want to see when you are fighting for your lives. Fans can be the 12th man and often galvanise the team; something Leicester desperately need right now.
The profit and sustainability rumour mill has started once again with the submission of our latest accounts, but we must remain focused on the task at hand - 17th place or above by securing as many points as possible. Avoiding relegation may just keep those salivating PSR wolves at bay, but who knows?
Ruud van Nistelrooy's Rome was not built in a day, but it also was not built without the tools of new personnel to refresh the squad. The January window is a tricky time to do this, with few players wanting to move and even fewer players wanting a part in a relegation scrap, not to mention a premium surge for those 'panic buys'.
Leicester never do things the easy way, but in the last few games we are seeing some better play. We just have to hope any reinforcements are quick to arrive, hit the ground running and make an immediate impact as the race for survival intensifies.
Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external
