LENNON LINKED TO MIDDLESBROUGH

Northern Ireland international Lennon has generated interest from a number of top clubs in England, including Everton and Middlesbrough, and new Foxes boss Peter Taylor is thought to be ready to cash in on the highly-rated player.

This availability may alert Toffees boss Walter Smith into making an offer for the 29-year-old, however the £6 million price tag that Taylor has placed on the former Crewe player may put him out of Smith's price range.

However, with Nick Barmby, John Collins and Don Hutchison all being linked with moves away from Goodison Park during the close season, the transfer fees that he gains from any deals for these players may be available for him to find a replacement, and the former Rangers boss is known to be an admirer of Lennon.

Having already secured the services of French international midfielder Christian Karembeu this summer, it seems unlikely that Bryan Robson would need another midfielder in a similar mould.

Lennon has already committed his long term future to the Midlands club although his contract has a clause in it allowing him to move for £5 million next summer, but Taylor is reportedly willing to lose the player's services before then.