Crystal Palace and Watford are both in pursuit of Jake Livermore from Hull City.
Livermore, who has made a successful switch from midfield to central defence this season, missed Hull's defeat at Manchester United on Tuesday in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final through illness.
His strong form has attracted interest from two rival clubs anxious to sign reinforcements and climb away from danger at the bottom of the Premier League.
New Palace boss Sam Allardyce has made no secret of his ambition to sign new players during the January window after arriving at Selhurst Park to replace Alan Pardew.