Brendan Rodgers will already have a Youri Tielemans replacement lined up, claims former Leicester City striker Brian Deane.

The Belgian midfielder is currently being linked with a move away from the King Power, with Het Nieuwsblad (via Football Insider) reporting that Liverpool have identified him as a potential successor to Gini Wijnaldum.

Losing Tielemans would undoubtedly be a blow for Leicester. The 24-year-old was one of the Foxes' best performers in the season that has just gone, proving to be the long-ball specialist in Rodgers' midfield.

He averaged three per league game, more than any other Leicester midfielder (via WhoScored), displaying his range of passing.

Deane, however, feels there is no reason to panic, suggesting that his old club will already have contingency plans in place.

Speaking exclusively to TT about Tielemans' future, the ex-Leicester star said:

"I think that they will already have somebody else lined up. I think it could be a good move all round [Tielemans to Liverpool].

"But Tielemans for me is a fantastic player and he's a good player for Leicester."

Losing their big players has been a recurring theme for Leicester despite the club managing to close the gap in the Premier League with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Until they can make that next step into the Champions League, it is something you would probably expect to continue.