Russell Martin set for Rangers transfer miss as Leicester City push for Hibernian deal | OneFootball

Russell Martin is poised to reunite with Hibernian defender Warren O'Hora at Leicester City following previous links to John Souttar of Rangers

Russell Martin is set to swerve his Leicester City transfer sights away from a raid on ex-club Rangers in favour of wrapping up a deal for Hibernian star Warren O'Hora ahead of this evening's 11pm deadline.

Leicester remain in need of further additions despite undertaking extensive activity throughout the summer months, with Martin's side yet to catch fire in the new League One campaign.

The Foxes are winless from their last four competitive fixtures, crashing out of the EFL Cup to Ipswich Town and playing out draws with newly-promoted third-tier duo Notts County and MK Dons while suffering a shock home defeat against Burton Albion earlier this month.

Further activity is only expected before the clock runs down tonight, and with a couple of players still set to depart the King Power Stadium across a busy day in this corner of the East Midlands, Leicester could be poised to add another fresh face to Martin's ranks.

Leicester City eyeing six-figure Hibernian transfer as Russell Martin swerves Rangers deal

As per a recent update from Scott Burns of the Daily Record, Leicester are edging closer to striking a deal with Hibernian for the signing of highly-rated defender Warren O'Hora.

Leicester are reportedly confident of completing the move after tabling a six-figure offer, with the 27-year-old having emerged as the League One promotion hopefuls' preferred target following previous links to Rangers defender John Souttar.

Indeed, both players have experience working under Martin, who briefly coached Souttar during a nightmareish spell at Rangers last year, though the Foxes boss appears increasingly likely to reunite with O'Hora after previously managing the ex-Republic of Ireland youth international with MK Dons.

O'Hora made his name across a four-year stay at Stadium MK before heading north of the border in 2024 to sign for Hibernian, where he has solidified his presence as an ever-present in the club's backline - but now looks set to head back to English football's third-tier to help Martin turn around a poor start and push Leicester up the table.

Leicester City need defensive cover as Hibernian, Warren O'Hora transfer beckons

It's no surprise that Martin is eager to acquire further defensive reinforcements in the remaining hours of deadline day, with limited options currently at the disposal of the former Swansea City and Southampton head coach.

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Wout Faes is primed to join West Ham in the Championship and there has been speculation surrounding the future of Caleb Okoli throughout the summer, while Ben Nelson is sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Though Ilari Kangasniemi has arrived from Finnish side FC Inter Turku, the 19-year-old will require time to adapt and develop, leaving Leicester light in the way of out-and-out, ready-to-go candidates in the centre of defence.

That's even led to divisive left-back Luke Thomas partnering Harry Souttar centrally, which means the likely addition of O'Hora represents a much-needed one and Martin will no doubt look forward to reuniting with the popular Hibs defender.