James Maddison is widely expected to leave Leicester City this summer with both Newcastle United and Manchester City keen on signing the England international. The Foxes playmaker has been one of the standout performers for a struggling Brendan Rodgers' side.
The Magpies have not hidden their interest in the attacking midfielder, having reportedly had two bids knocked back last summer, but with time ebbing away on his contract, the Foxes are expected to cash in. By the time the transfer window opens, Maddison will be entering the final 12 months of his deal and it seems unlikely he'll stay at the King Power beyond then.
Leicester will be keen to avoid a repeat of Youri Tielemans running down his contract, with the Belgian expected to leave on a free this summer - another player linked with a move to the Magpies.
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Chronicle Live spoke with Jordan Blackwell, Leicester City reporter for Leicester Live for an insight into James Maddison's future.
From the outside looking in, James Maddison seems to be the standout performer at Leicester. How has he fared since we last spoke?
Jordan Blackwell: "The knee issue that he picked up just before the World Cup hasn’t completely gone away, and that has stopped him being at his most effective, but over the past few weeks he has edged closer to the heights he was hitting in the autumn. He returned to fitness in late January and scored on his first two Premier League starts back in the team, but you could see he was not at 100 per cent.
"Despite Leicester’s recent run of poor results, he has been very good, and the captain’s armband has elevated his game. With Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans out, he’s been named skipper and he has shown more authority in his performances.
"He’s taking the responsibility very seriously, defending team-mates and arguing with the officials on the pitch, and hitting back at the media and supporters off the pitch. He’s been Leicester’s most creative force for the past few weeks and slipped in a superb through ball for Harvey Barnes’ equaliser at Brentford.
"The first half against Chelsea was probably his best showing of late. He collected the ball in the pockets and danced around the pitch, making some very good players look average."
He stayed at Leicester in January despite links with Newcastle. Do you think that's likely to change in the summer?
JB: "Yes. Right now, there’s been little indication that he is willing to sign a new contract with the club, and if he isn’t going to, then it would make sense for Leicester to sell. They won’t want a repeat of the Youri Tielemans situation, where they are losing one of their most valuable assets for nothing.
"There is probably an appreciation as well that with the way he has performed over the past 18 months, he has outgrown Leicester. He has taken his game to a level where he could realistically play for any team in the country."
What have you made of the reported interest from Manchester City and what would be a better move for him?
JB: "It’s understandable. The qualities he has make him compatible with Man City and Pep Guardiola’s style of play. The biggest question he would have to ask himself if equivalent bids came in from both Man City and Newcastle would be about what he values.
"The possibility of winning trophies at Man City is obviously far greater, but he would likely start every single game at Newcastle, something that can’t be guaranteed if he’s up against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva for game-time. Whether Newcastle qualify for the Champions League would probably be a big factor too.
"Obviously, it’s the tournament that every top player wants to play in, and getting that kind of experience may see him looked on more favourably for England as well."
What sort of fee do you think Leicester would ask for in the summer?
JB: "As an English, attacking player with experience but room to grow, he ticks all the boxes to be a mega-money player. But having only one year on his contract means Leicester won’t be able to charge the fees they received for Harry Maguire and Wesley Fofana.
"I imagine that they would still want £50m or so, but I could only see them getting that if there’s more than one interested party though. If only one club is coming forward, then I imagine Leicester may have to reduce the price, because I don’t think they would want to get to the end of the summer without receiving some kind of fee for him."
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