Source: Daily_Mail
Leicester City set sights on former Spurs and Barcelona midfielder Davids
Edgar Davids is set for a stunning return to English football after Leicester City last night attempted to seal the most audacious transfer of the season.[LNB] The Championship club are within 24 hours of completing a deal to lure the former Holland midfielder back into the game.[LNB] Return of 'The Pitbull': Edgar Davids[LNB]Two months ago, Leicester's east Midlands neighbours Notts County shocked football by signing Sol Campbell, only for the switch to end in tears when the former England defender walked out of the League Two club.[LNB] But Leicester manager Nigel Pearson's pursuit of Davids threatens to overshadow that deal after Premier League strugglers Portsmouth declared themselves out of the running for the unattached Davids.[LNB] The past clubs on the c.v. of a man nicknamed 'The Pitbull' read like a Who's Who of the glitterati of European football. Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Tottenham are among David's past employers. He was even named by Pele as one of the best 100 living footballers in a specially-commissioned FIFA project five years ago.[LNB] However, Davids, 36, has not been in action since breaking a leg last season during an exhibition match in Los Angeles. His last competitive fixture was at the end of the 2008 season when his contract with Ajax expired.[LNB] Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric insisted that the chase was not a publicity stunt as he attempted to put together a package that will make Davids the club's highest earner. That contract is believed to include a fee for the player's image rights and talks between the parties are well advanced.[LNB] 'If we couldn't afford him, wouldn't be talking to him,' said Mandaric. 'We are a very ambitious club, but there is always room for improvement and our goal is to really give it a go to try to get up this year, and players of that kind of profile will help us.[LNB] 'We are in conversation with Edgar and his agent, and at this point that's all I can say. We are progressing and it is potentially exciting, of course, but we are not there yet. I think things will be taking place very shortly and not more than a couple of days.[LNB] Mandaric added: 'As long as my manager gives me the green light on his fitness and he is ready to go and has the desire to play in England, then I don't see any problems. Age is irrelevant as long as he is fit and can last a full game.'[LNB] Pearson, whose team lie three points behind league leaders West Bromwich, said: 'There has been interest in both directions. But whether it comes to anything is another story. If players become available and are right for us, then we will investigate it. I can't elaborate any further than that.' [LNB] THE MIDLANDER: Roberto di Matteo must wise up for West Brom to win promotion to the Premier League I decided to sack Southgate before Derby triumph, reveals Boro chairmanLeicester can afford Davids and stop Pearson going to Boro, insists Milan [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Nigel PearsonPlaces:Los Angeles, The Netherlands, United Kingdom
