Brendan Rodgers Addresses James Maddison Speculation Amid Man Utd Interest

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out selling Manchester United target James Maddison during the January transfer window and has expressed hope that the player will soon commit his future to the Foxes for ‘years’ to come.


After a fine debut season with Leicester in 2018/19, Maddison has gone from strength to strength this campaign and is big reason why the Foxes are on course to finish in the Premier League top four and return to the Champions League.

James Maddison

The 23-year-old has been linked with United for much of the season, with the Old Trafford club in the midst of a squad overhaul and rebuild focused on emerging stars.

Earlier this week, Sky Sports reported on United’s interest in Maddison alongside the concession that the club is ‘wary that it is difficult to conclude big transfers in January'.

A day earlier, it had been reported by one of the Sunday newspapers that United were preparing to offer Leicester £45m plus Jesse Lingard in part exchange.

Now, it seems that United were right to have concerns as Rodgers has declared that Maddison will not be leaving Leicester this month and even hinted at a new contract for the player.

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“There’s no pressure to sell and no need to sell,” Rodgers is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“James is a very talented player and he will be here in January and beyond. He’s a player we’re keen to remain here and help us on this journey over the next few years. James and his representatives are speaking with the club and these things take time.”

Maddison, who made his senior England debut last year and is friends with United defender Harry Maguire, is currently under contract with Leicester until 2023. It is the same deal that he signed when he first joined the club from Norwich for around £20m in June 2018.

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Leicester will be acutely aware that United would be able to offer Maddison a major improvement on those terms, and will therefore feel more comfortable if they can tie him down to a fresh deal sooner rather than later.


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Source : 90min