CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs has said that Leicester City realise it will be difficult for them to hold on to James Maddison this summer as the likes of Tottenham circle over the attacking midfielder.
It was reported last month that Leicester are trying to tie Maddison down to a new contract ahead of the summer to ward off interest from the likes of Spurs (90 min).
However, Football Insider subsequently reported in February that the attacking midfielder feels ‘very strongly’ about playing at the highest level possible and will thus eye a move to a Champions League club in the summer.
The report explained that Antonio Conte’s men hold a strong interest in the 26-year-old and that the Lilywhites will not shy away from getting into a bidding war with the likes of Newcastle United for the player.
The Telegraph claimed last week that despite the fact that Maddison will be down to the final 12 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium in the summer, the Foxes are expected to demand £60m for his services.
Jacobs has now said that even Brendan Rodgers’ men are aware that the England international’s days at the club are now numbered.
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The journalist said on Steve Wraith’s YouTube channel: “Difficult for Leicester to hold onto James Maddison. Obviously, if they go down, they’ll be losing Maddison, there’s no way he’ll stay in the Championship.
“He’s at that point in his career, where off the back of a World Cup where he was called up, he wasn’t fit for large parts of it, but when he recovered and trained he didn’t get any minutes.
“He will be acutely aware that his best chance of being an integral player for the 2026 World Cup is to get 2-3 seasons of European football.
“Leicester’s not the place to do that at the moment, he had a fantastic season last campaign, a brilliant start to this campaign before he got injured.
“I think there’s a real feeling even though Leicester would love to offer him a new deal, that the time is right for him to leave. There’s a range of suitors like Newcastle and Tottenham starting to circle.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do not see any club paying £60m for Maddison, given his contract situation.
While Leicester will likely look to get a bidding war going, I do not see them getting more than £40m-£45m at best for the 26-year-old.
It is vitally important that we finish in the top four to ensure that we are a more attractive destination for Maddison than Newcastle.
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