Leicester City are interesting in taking Nathaniel Chalobah on loan from Watford for the rest of the season.

The midfielder has worked with Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers before during his time at Chelsea and Rodgers himself has said he is hopeful of bringing a player in on loan.

Asked about the move at his press conference yesterday, he said: “I know Nathaniel from my time working with him at Chelsea, but I know lots of players and there are a number of players that we’re looking at.

PA

PA

"The club will work hard at looking to get someone in. Our idea is to get a midfield player. If we can do that, then great.”

A departure for Chalobah could trigger a chain of events that might end up with the Hornets signing Matthew Longstaff on loan from Newcastle United.

Newcastle are open to the possibility of Longstaff heading out temporarily, but it is understood they first want to bring in one, or possibly even two, of their own loan targets before they continue any discussions.

The Magpies are currently discussing moves for Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury, Celtic's Olivier Ntcham and Arsenal's Joe Willock.

Should Chalobah leave for Leicester, Choudhury would then be permitted to leave for Tyneside, potentially allowing Longstaff to come to Vicarage Road.

The Hornets brought in Dan Gosling from Bournemouth yesterday, while Domingos Quina is heading to Granada for a loan move this morning.