Leicester are 'in advanced talks to appoint Steve Cooper' as Enzo Maresca's replacement as Welshman 'nears return to management' after leaving Nottingham Forest

Leicester are in advanced talks to appoint Steve Cooper as their new manager, according to a report.

The Foxes secured a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season, winning the Championship under Enzo Maresca following relegation from the top flight the year prior.

Maresca, however, has now left the club, taking up the chance to manage Chelsea following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, leaving Leicester looking for a new boss.

A number of names have been linked with the role, such as Graham Potter and Carlos Corberan, but the former Nottingham Forest boss appears to be nearing an agreement to take on the role.

According to The Telegraph, Leicester are looking to secure the appointment of Cooper this week, with a view to the 44-year-old taking charge well before before the players return for pre-season.

Cooper hasn't been in work since leaving Nottingham Forest in December, a little over two years after taking over the club in the Championship.

Having led Forest to survival in the second division at the end of the 2021-22 season after taking over with the club bottom of the league, before helping them to promotion via the Championship the year after.

Forest remained in the Premier League in their first year back in the division, but were 17th the year after when Cooper was sacked and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Welshman will be taksed with securing survival for Leicester upon their return to the top flight, though they may be handed a points deduction due to profit and sustainibility breaches.

A week ago, Leicester had narrowed down their managerial search down to Potter, Corberan and Cooper, and reports had suggested that Potter was close to being appointed.

It now appears that Cooper is the front-runner, however, in a role that would be his third managerial job at club level, having also been in charge of Swansea between 2019 and 2021.

He also coached England at Under-16 and Under-17 levels between 2014 and 2019.

Leicester will likely have to sell players to keep up with profit and sustainability rules, meaning they could lose some key stars from last season before they can even think about buying.

Long-serving forward Jamie Vardy, however, recently signed a new one-year contract to remain at the club.