Leicester trying to beat former boss Claudio Ranieri to £4.5m Ludogorets midfielder Anicet Abel

Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare has been on the phone to the Madagascar star as he fears losing Danny Drinkwater

CRAIG SHAKEPSPEARE has been getting personal as he battles former Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare for Ludogorets midfielder Anicet Abel.

Foxes chief Shakespeare fears losing Nampalys Mendy and maybe even England star Danny Drinkwater before the transfer deadline.

And he has repeatedly been linked with £4.5million-rated Madagascar ace Abel.

Now report that Shakepeare has been on the phone to the 27-year-old, trying to persuade him to join.

Ranieri, meanwhile, has also been monitoring Abel in his new position as Nantes chief.

Leicester might still be nervous over the future of Chelsea target Drinkwater.

The midfielder, capped three times, emerged dramatically when the Foxes won the Premier League under Ranieri two seasons ago.

He is an attractive proposition for clubs in the Champions League because he counts as a homegrown player.

So that is one reason why Leicester want as much as £40m for a performer who can slot into most systems.

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