Manchester City are interested in a move for James Maddison this summer, while Premier League rivals have enquired about the availability of the Leicester playmaker this month.
The Premier League champions, who have let the disgruntled Joao Cancelo depart for Bayern Munich, will have to be active ahead of next season, with the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva up in the air.
City hold an interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham but have also identified Maddison, with Pep Guardiola wanting more goals from those behind Erling Haaland.
Manchester City are considering a move for Leicester playmaker James Maddison this summer
Pep Guardiola is preparing for a squad shake-up, with a number of players’ futures up in the air
The Leicester City man, who has just returned from injury, has notched seven in 14 league appearances this term after chipping in with a creditable 12 last year.
The 26-year-old will soon be entering the final 12 months of his £100,000-a-week contract at the King Power Stadium and has so far shown no inclination to pen an extension. Leicester are increasingly unlikely to be able to hold on to Maddison in the summer, even if they avoid relegation.
Newcastle United lodged two bids for him last summer but their offers did not come close to matching Leicester’s valuation of around £60million. And Sportsmail understands numerous top Premier League clubs have asked about Maddison’s availability in the winter window.
Maddison is keen to test himself among the elite and the Foxes are acutely aware that they are running out of time to secure a transfer fee that matches his ability.
The England international has drawn interest from a number of Premier League clubs this year
Manchester City are also interested in signing Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham
They wish to avoid a repeat of the situation with Youri Tielemans, who is now able to agree a free transfer to an overseas club as his contract expires in the summer.
Leicester’s next set of accounts, for the period ending spring 2022, are likely to show a significant loss – though they will not include the £75m sale of Wesley Fofana to Chelsea last summer.
Maddison’s departure would also generate funds for a rebuild. Leicester’s first XI has barely changed during Brendan Rodgers’ four years at the club and the manager believes the squad must be refreshed.
City firming up initial interest in Maddison – a player Guardiola admires – may be contingent on other factors, including a pursuit of a winger and Phil Foden’s proposed role in the team.
The Foxes would be unlikely to keep hold of their star player even if they survive relegation
City want another forward, although there is only a small pool of players who fit the bill. With 14 goal contributions in Serie A this season, AC Milan’s Rafael Leao is being closely monitored. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger at Napoli, has suitors across Europe.
Should City secure a winger then Foden’s natural progression would be to move inside behind Haaland, a spot that he has appeared destined to eventually assume.
There remain some moving parts to any proposed business, not least a confusion over Gundogan and Silva.
Gundogan, the club captain whose contract expires in June, has strong interest from Barcelona on a free transfer and is now free to discuss moves with foreign clubs. The German will turn 33 next season.
City’s Ilkay Gundogan is set to become a free agent when his contract expires in summer
Silva, meanwhile, has made no secret of a desire to leave for Spain after six years in England. Barca have hoped to land the Portugal international but did not meet City’s valuation of around £70m last summer. There is an uncertainty at the club whether he will again push for a switch – or if any club is willing to match an asking price.
Central midfield will be a key area to strengthen with a host of clubs, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, rivalling them for Bellingham in what should prove a fierce competition for the England international’s signature.
The doubt surrounding several players has not helped amid a number of sticky performances since returning from the World Cup, with Guardiola pointedly referencing ‘body language’ as a main reason behind his selections.
Cancelo’s attitude emerged as an issue over the past month and the Portugal international has been allowed to leave for Bayern on loan after heated discussions with Guardiola over a lack of game time.
Joao Cancelo has completed his deadline day loan to Bayern Munich from Manchester City
The defending champions are highly unlikely to sign a replacement before the deadline, with Nathan Ake filling in during Cancelo’s recent extended period out of the side.
City opted against triggering Ben Chilwell’s £42m release clause when he left Leicester for Chelsea in 2020 but could return for him after refusing to meet Brighton’s valuation of Marc Cucurella last summer.
Benjamin Mendy’s contract is set to expire during his retrial on two counts of sexual violence, to be heard at Chester Crown Court on June 26. Mendy remains suspended by City.
source:dailymail
