Carlton Palmer has warned Swansea City Russell Martin's 'head would be turned' if he were to be offered the Leicester City job.
The Swans boss is said to be top of the list of targets for the former Premier League champions if they are relegated out of the Premier League. The 0-3 home defeat to Liverpool puts Leicester on the edge, with Sky pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher saying on their Monday Night Football show they believe the Foxes are doomed.
Southampton, who will definitely play in the Championship next season, are also being linked with Martin, who has yet to sign a new contract in South Wales.
READ MORE: Russell Martin to hold crunch talks with Swans hierarchy
Martin is set to meet with the Swansea hierarchy this week to discuss his future at the club. WalesOnline understands the Swans boss is due to sit down with new chairman Andy Coleman for talks over his contract situation, with Martin approaching the final year of his current deal.
Current Leicester boss Dean Smith was appointed as Brendan Rodgers' successor on a short-term contract, but with Leicester looking likely to drop, his future is reportedly up in the air. Leicester have won just one game under him and sit second from bottom in the table, with only two games to go.
Pundit Palmer, capped 18 times by England, told Football League World: "Swansea would not want to lose Russell Martin.
"He's done a fantastic job at Swansea, he's a good manager with a bright future. But if Leicester come knocking, his head would be turned.
"The opportunity would be far greater for him to get Leicester promoted than Swansea, that's a given at this moment in time.
"I'm not sure how strong Leicester's interest is at present because their fate is not sealed. I believe they will get relegated, but I don't think there will be any concrete decisions made either way until their fate is finally decided."
Martin has expressed frustrations at the lack of backing received in the transfer market at Swansea. Part of Palmer's reasoning would be the likelihood of Leicester being prepared to spend heavily in a bid to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
However, they would almost certainly lose key men like James Maddison and Youri Tielemans should they be relegated.
READ MORE:
The 148 Championship free agents Cardiff City and Swansea City could sign for nothing
Swansea City's summer transfer window: What they want, the players linked so far and who could go
