‘Won’t beg him to stay’ – Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers hints Newcastle transfer target James Maddison could quit club
LEICESTER manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted that James Maddison could leave the club when the summer transfer window opens.
Maddison, 26, has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium since last summer.
PAMaddison has been linked with a move away from Leicester[/caption]
Rodgers will not force the midfielder to stay at the clubGetty
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe reportedly made the midfielder his priority transfer target last month following two failed attempts to sign him on a permanent deal.
And he is expected to make another bid to sign him before the 2023-24 Premier League season kicks off.
Despite the growing interest from Newcastle, Leicester chiefs have been eager to keep Maddison in the East Midlands by offering him a new contract.
However, Rodgers has admitted that he does not want to beg the midfielder to stay.
When asked about Maddison’s future during his press conference ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Manchester United, the Foxes boss said: “It’s a conversation we’ve been having with James’ representatives for a while so there’s no change in that.
“For me, it’s about making sure that, despite whatever the situation is, that James is playing at the best level he can be.
“Thankfully as a player he’s got experience now, he’s very focused on purely doing his best for us and staying available and fit.
“He’s a top player in the league and he’s shown that in his time here, gradually from when he’s come in to the position he’s in now, you can see that development take place.
“I think that’s the type of club we are – we’ll develop players, we’ll improve players, we can give them great conditions to work in – but I won’t be begging for a player to stay.”
Maddison has less than 18 months remaining on his current contract, so Leicester could be forced to cash-in on him this summer if he decides against signing a new deal.
While Newcastle maintain a strong interest in signing him, Manchester City are also keen to strike a deal.
Bernardo Silva is expected to leave the club at the end of the season and Pep Guardiola reportedly believes that Maddison could be the ideal player to fill the void.
