James Maddison to assess his options with two years to run on his Leicester City contract
James Maddison to assess his options with two years to run on his Leicester City deal, with the Foxes keen on extending the midfielder’s contract amid Newcastle interest
- Newcastle United have had two bids turned down for James Maddison
- Leicester City are now keen to tie down the midfielder beyond 2023-24 season
- Maddison though is prepared to weigh up potential options before signing a deal
- The midfielder is already one of the top earners at the King Power Stadium
James Maddison is in no rush to make a decision on his long-term future as he enters the final two years of his contract with Leicester.
The Foxes plan to offer their playmaker, who attracted two bids from Newcastle this summer, a new deal in the coming weeks after he scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists last season. He already has one of each after two Premier League games this term.
Yet Sportsmail understands Maddison will take his time to settle on his next steps as he approaches a key phase of his career. Maddison turns 26 in November and since joining Leicester from Norwich in 2018, has established himself as one of the top operators in his position.
James Maddison is weighing up his future as Leicester prepare to offer him a new contract
Brendan Rodgers revealed the club were in talks with Maddison over signing a new deal
Newcastle were keen on Maddison but Leicester’s valuation of more than £60million made the deal too difficult.
Boss Brendan Rodgers indicated Leicester were in discussions with Maddison’s representatives and added: ‘I’m pretty sure the club would want to do that. Both sides have to be able to find an agreement.
With James, with two years left, naturally the club would want to protect the asset. But it works both ways. Sometimes, everything goes onto the club.’
Maddison is one of the Foxes’ top earners alongside veteran striker Jame Vardy (right)
Making it clear he was not speaking specifically about Maddison, but in general terms, Rodgers added: ‘If a player – I’m not saying James – doesn’t want to sign it, then it can be a stalemate.
‘But absolutely, he’s an outstanding player and of course, Leicester City would benefit from keeping him longer.’
Maddison’s last contract renewal was in August 2020, which pushed him closer to top earners Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel. Schmeichel ended his 11-year stay with the club to join Nice earlier this month while Vardy, who is now in the last year of his contract, is also set to sign a new deal in the coming weeks.
