James Maddison will leave Leicester this summer (Photo: Getty)
Manchester United target James Maddison will be sold this summer regardless of whether or not Leicester are relegated, according to reports.
Since joining Leicester in 2018, Maddison has been one of the best players in the Premier League from outside of the ‘big six’, and this season he has unquestionably been the Foxes’ best performer.
The attacking midfielder has scored nine and assisted seven in 25 league games so far, impressive numbers given how poor his side have been, with the club in serious danger of relegation.
The 2015/16 Premier League champions are currently 18th in the table, one point from safety, and set to play 19th-placed Everton on Monday night.
Should they go down the Championship, many of their best players will no doubt be sold, but The Telegraph report that even if Leicester survive Maddison will depart the King Power.
The 26-year-old is out of contract next summer and as such this is the Foxes’ last chance to cash-in on the star, will funds desperately needed after they revealed record losses of £92.5million earlier this year.
Thankfully for them, the England international has plenty of admirers, not least Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle, with Leicester set to let him go for a fee in the region of £45m to £60m.
Can Dean Smith save Leicester from relegation (Photo: Getty)
In all, Maddison has recorded 54 goals and 39 assists in 198 matches for Leicester, helping them win the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021 and qualifying them for European competition two years in a row.
Everton the clash with Everton, manager Dean Smith compared Maddison favourably with Jack Grealish whom he worked with at Aston Villa, saying: ‘I think they are different types of players but they both know they’ve got ability and want to push themselves to become the best.
‘I think when you’ve got players that have that personality and character they push you as coaches and you want to go and help them become better players. James seems to have that as well.
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‘He’s always looking to see what he can do better. He’s really engaging in the meetings we have and tactical meetings, and very vocal as well. I can see that similarity [with Grealish] of wanting to push himself.
‘I’m liking what I’m seeing in training so far and he’s not disappointed in the games either. All the players are really focused and James is certainly one of them.’
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The 26-year-old will leave Leicester regardless of whether they avoid relegation or not.