Irrespective of Leicester City’s stuttering bid to secure Premier League survival, James Maddison’s future lies away from the King Power Stadium.
According to The Telegraph, the Foxes will offload their headline performer in the summer, regardless of the outcome of their survival mission.
Leicester reported record losses of £92.5 million in their financial accounts earlier this year and will have to rekindle old habits of selling their prized assets to settle the books.
Maddison is undoubtedly their most in-demand player, with the Midlands outfit recently pinning a £50m price tag on the playmaker’s head in anticipation of a bidding war in the summer.
Despite the Foxes’ thoroughly disappointing season, which places them a point below safety with five matches left, the 26-year-old has been a rare shining light at the King Power.
With nine goals and seven assists from 25 Premier League appearances in 2022/23, the England international has had his share in 36% of Leicester’s top-flight goals this season.
But while his focus remains on helping Dean Smith’s side avoid relegation, Maddison must be keeping one eye on a potential move to a more high-profile destination in the summer.
With no shortage of suitors, we look at three potential landing spots for the former Norwich City star.
Newcastle United
A formidable cash influx provided by wealthy new owners is not the only reason Newcastle are on the brink of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League for the first time in over two decades.
Charismatic manager Eddie Howe deserves a fair share of the credit, with his tactical prowess and shrewd transfer deals helping the Magpies defy expectations this season.
Maddison’s technical qualities and tactical awareness made him a perfect fit for Howe’s set-up. Hence, it’s no wonder Newcastle are currently the front-runners to prise the midfielder away from Leicester.
Liverpool
After Borussia Dortmund’s prohibitive asking price for sought-after Jude Bellingham blew Liverpool out of the water, Jurgen Klopp must look elsewhere to address his side’s midfield shortcomings.
Even without the lustre of Champions League football, owning to the Reds’ underwhelming Premier League season, Anfield is still one of the most attractive destinations in Europe.
Klopp has always had a special affection for technically-gifted midfielders. Maddison ticks all the boxes for a type of player he’s looking to recruit ahead of Naby Keita’s imminent departure.
Tottenham Hotspur
Though Tottenham’s downfall hasn’t reached Leicester’s proportions, Spurs chief Daniel Levy faces a potentially future-defining summer transfer window.
Having changed three permanent managers following Mauricio Pochettino’s exit in 2019, Levy has played a critical role in the club’s steady decline in recent years.
Spurs have no margin for error in the summer, and signing a player of Maddison’s quality and reputation could settle some nerves among the club’s frustrated fanbase.
