James Maddison ‘to leave Leicester City this summer’

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison will reportedly be sold this summer even if the Foxes avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Maddison is just one game short of his 200th appearance in a Leicester shirt, but his five-year association with the club appears to be nearing its conclusion.

The England international is out of contract in the summer of 2024, and there is no indication that a new deal is close to being agreed.

There was a belief that Maddison’s future at the club would depend on whether Leicester can avoid relegation to the Championship.

However, according to The Telegraph, the Foxes are expected to sell one of their prized assets even if they remain in the top flight.

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Earlier this year, Leicester revealed losses of £92.5m in their financial accounts, and they will look to offload Maddison to help balance the books.

A recent report claimed that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has picked out Maddison as one of his top three targets for the summer transfer window.

The Magpies allegedly had a £50m bid rejected last year, but they could renew their interest as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in signing the 26-year-old this summer.

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With Maddison set to enter the final 12 months of his deal, Leicester will reportedly accept offers between £45m and £60m.

Maddison is currently focused on Leicester’s relegation battle, and he experienced a mixed evening in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Everton.

The midfielder set up Jamie Vardy to score Leicester’s second goal, but he missed the opportunity to give his side a 3-1 lead in first-half stoppage time when his penalty was saved by Jordan Pickford.

During his 26 Premier League appearances this term, Maddison has scored nine goals and provided eight assists.

Dean Smith‘s side are sitting outside the bottom three on goal difference, and they will be in action again on Monday when they travel to Craven Cottage for a Premier League meeting with Fulham.

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