Leicester City have reiterated that James Maddison is not for sale after Newcastle United's latest offer for the attacking midfielder.
Newcastle had a £40m bid rejected for Maddison over the weekend but, rather than being deterred, tellingly, the Magpies have since returned with an improved offer. However, ChronicleLive understands Leicester are adamant Maddison is not leaving after the 'manager made our position clear - he's not for sale'.
Yet Newcastle have clearly sensed an opportunity at a time when Leicester are the only Premier League side who have failed to sign a single player. The Foxes could do with a windfall after struggling to offload a number of high-earning fringe players to make room in their squad for new additions.
READ MORE: Newcastle's James Maddison refusal gives Leicester test faced with Chelsea and Manchester United
Last summer was one of the few windows Leicester did not sell a key player after previously letting N'Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez, Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell all go in recent years. Newcastle are going to have to substantially increase their offer for Maddison to join that list even if Brendan Rodgers is well-aware of Leicester's 'financial situation' and the fact his talisman has entered the final two years of his contract.
"There is obviously, within the club, a financial situation which isn't ideal in terms of wanting to do business," the Leicester boss said. "It doesn't mean we will be exploited and we don't want to be losing our best players.
"You don't want to lose your best players and then not be able to bring any in. That doesn't stack up.
"With James, he is looking the best he has in my time here. He is a joy to work with. I love him as a young guy, seeing him grow from when I first came in to a 25-year-old father.
"He is really pivotal to us. There is no way I would want to sell him."
Rodgers' comments and Leicester's stance actually bring back memories of what the Foxes' manager said about Ben Chilwell in the summer of 2020. Rodgers stressed Chilwell was 'not for sale' and there was absolutely 'no need' to let him go - only for the left-back to join Chelsea 45 days later after the Blues made a suitable offer.
READ NEXT
Arbitrator breaks silence after Newcastle takeover lawyer Nick De Marco left with 'trepidation'
Newcastle owners' special guest gets glimpse of future with Amanda Staveley and Dan Ashworth
Newcastle United transfer news LIVE
Newcastle United table new huge offer for Leicester City's James Maddison
16-year-old Newcastle United sensation gets England call-up after St. James' Park experience
