LEICESTER CITY are facing up to the prospect of losing THREE stars for nothing in June – but are battling to keep James Maddison.
Belgium international midfielder Youri Tielemans, 25, has been linked with a host of clubs for months.
AlamyLeicester are determined to keep James Maddison this summer[/caption]
Now he is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, with Leicester not expected to reach an agreement over a new deal.
Manchester United and Arsenal both keen on the 2021 FA Cup winner and could launch a swoop.
And Spanish midfielder Ayoze Perez, 29, and Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu, 26, are also set to leave for nothing when their respective deals expire.
However, The Telegraph claims that the Foxes are “intensifying contract talks with James Maddison” in an attempt to hang on to their talisman.
The 26-year-old playmaker has been in sensational form this term with nine goals and four assists in the Premier League and has caught the eye of Newcastle and Tottenham.
The Magpies lodged two bids worth £40million and £45m last summer but had both rejected.
Since then Maddison has gone on to enjoy a fine campaign with the struggling Foxes and earned a place in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.
But he is now in the final 18 months of his contract and this fresh update says that Leicester “have restarted negotiations over a long-term extension in the past 48 hours”.
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The Foxes have lost a host of big names over recent years, such as Ben Chilwell, Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire, for large fees.
But they are determined to hang on to Maddison and rebuild their team around him.
After the 4-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday, boss Brendan Rodgers said: “We think James is in his best position now.
“He’s done great for me in the last 12 or 14 months playing out of position on the right.
“You see his qualities, he’s one of the best players in the league. He’s grown as a leader too and is an outstanding player.”