Newcastle have made a second offer in the region of £50m for Leicester midfielder James Maddison.
The Magpies are awaiting a response to their improved offer for the 25-year-old, after his The initial offer of 40 million pounds sterling was rejected at the weekend.
Leicester are believed to value Maddison, who joined the Foxes for £24m from Norwich in June 2018, at close to £60m.
If Newcastle’s offer were accepted, Maddison would become the club’s record signing, dwarfing the £40m they paid Hoffenheim for Joelinton in July 2019.
Maddison scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for Leicester last season.
James Maddison has made 171 appearances in all competitions for Leicester
Eddie Howe remains keen to strengthen his squad despite some setbacks in the transfer market this summer, having been rejected in his attempts to sign Everton midfielder Anthony Gordonwhile French striker Hugo Ekitike opted to go to Paris Saint-Germain instead of Newcastle.
The northeastern club have made three summer signings so far with the arrivals of Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett, Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and Lille defender Sven Botman.
Rodgers: There’s no way I want to sell Maddison
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers doesn’t want to lose Maddison this summer
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers wants to keep Maddison and joked after Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win over Sevilla that £40m would buy “three quarters of his left leg”.
Leicester, who are the only top-tier team yet to sign this summer, still need to sell to bring in reinforcements, but Rodgers insisted they won’t take advantage of Maddison or others.
“Obviously there is, within the club, a financial situation that is not ideal in terms of wanting to do business. It doesn’t mean we will be exploited and we don’t want to lose our best players,” he said. .
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Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison has added a work ethic and maturity this season that has made him even more impressive
“You don’t want to lose your best players and then not be able to bring any. That doesn’t add up.
“With James, he looks the best he’s ever had in my time here. He’s a joy to work with. I love him as a young boy, watching him grow from when I first came to a 25-year-old father.”
“He is really fundamental to us. There is no way I would want to sell him.”
Leicester stopped, an ominous sign?
Sky Sports News lead reporter Melissa Reddy speaking on The Transfer Show:
“The problem for Leicester is that they are the only club in the Premier League who have not strengthened their first team so far, and he is not the only experienced player who could leave.
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Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol of The Transfer Show round up the latest transfer news from all 20 Premier League clubs
“When you look at that team and think about the injuries they’ve had, you think it’s a group that needs to be renewed.
“If there are going to be departures of pivotal players, Kasper Schmeichel, James Maddison, possibly Wesley Fofana, without solidifying the team and sanctioning these departures, I’m actually a little worried about Brendan Rodgers.
“Leicester’s expectation is that they should be pushing in and around the Champions League places but they have been sitting still which is not a good indication of how they will perform this season.
“There’s been a lot of talk that they need to let players go first before they can invest and ultimately they’ll know their targets. They’re great salespeople and have recruited well in the past.”
Rodgers warns Chelsea to leave Fofana
Leicester defender Wesley Fofana is a target for Chelsea this summer
Rodgers also issued a hands-off warning on Wesley Fofana with Chelsea is working on a deal for the French defender.
Leicester are reportedly demanding up to £85m for Fofana given he has five years left on his contract, and Rodgers is convinced the 21-year-old is going nowhere.
He said: “No, he’s not for sale. When we looked at him, he had made 17 starts in the league. Everyone was looking at him back then, but he’s come here, he’s really blossomed and developed, not just as a player but as a young man. .
“He really respects the club, I have no doubt that in the future he will be on that (higher) stage, but he is very comfortable, he feels good here.
He has a great relationship with his teammates, which is important and there is no doubt that he will be at that stage. But for now he is here, he is developing and, as I said, he is not for sale.
“Maybe he’ll get a chance to get into the France squad for the World Cup and that’s what playing is about, so I’m pretty calm. I’ve had long talks with him.”
“He can’t stop the speculation, but he’s very focused on his work here and very focused on his development.”
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