Leicester City have made a third bid for Nottingham Forest defender Wes Morgan and this time it looks as though they will get their man.

After having bids of £500,000 and £650,000 rejected by their East Midlands rivals, City have offered £800,000 rising to £1 million for the 28-year-old central defender, who is Forest's longest serving player.

Forest boss Steve Cotterill has publicly stated he does not want to lose Morgan, who has played more than 400 games for the club after coming through the youth ranks, but he knows he must generate his own cash to bolster his side ahead of their relegation fight.

City's third bid may have been prompted by reports yesterday that Morgan, who is out of contract at the City Ground this summer, has requested permission to speak to City.

City boss Nigel Pearson is keen to strengthen his defence as Sol Bamba is away at the African Nations Cup and could be missing for several more weeks if favourites Ivory Coast progress, and Aleksandar Tunchev has picked up a groin injury. That leaves Pearson with just captain Matt Mills and Sean St Ledger as his only recognised centre backs, and St Ledger remains transfer listed despite performing well in the last two games, although Pearson has said he will hold talks with the Republic of Ireland international.

It is believed this time Forest will accept City's offer and allow City to discuss personal terms with Morgan.

Pearson has been looking at alternative defensive options and City have been linked to Cardiff City centre back Anthony Gerrard and Hull City's Jack Chester, both of whom Pearson signed while manager of the Tigers.

However, Gerrard is a regular in the Bluebirds squad and helped them reach the Carling Cup Final this week, while any move by Pearson to try to sign any of his former players from Hull City is likely to receive the same response as the unsuccessful bids for winger Cameron Stewart earlier this month.

Morgan isn't the only player City are currently in for and the Mercury understands an offer has gone in for Stoke City winger Ben Marshall, who has been reported to have turned down a new deal with the Potteries club. A number of clubs are also said to be interested.