David Ornstein has confirmed that Leicester City and James Maddison are currently in contract negotiations amid speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future at the King Power.

What’s the word?

Maddison has been one of the most enjoyable players to watch in the Premier League since he moved from Norwich in the summer of 2018.

Last season he created 100 chances in the division so it’s no surprise that some of the league’s biggest clubs are sniffing around him.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with the player but it’s thought that a move is more likely to materialise in the summer after Brendan Rodgers stated he wouldn’t be sold in January.

But with Maddison’s future in the Midlands still in some doubt, Ornstein has claimed that the Foxes are in negotiations to extend his contract.

Speaking on The Ornstein & Chapman Podcast (14/01/2020), he noted:

“We know James Maddison is a player that Manchester United admire and they see him as a potential signing. It was always more likely to be one that they pursued in the summer of 2020. In the meantime, Leicester and Maddison’s representatives are in negotiations over a new contract. It’s certainly not going to be one that goes away.

"It’s going to be one of the most high-profile situations over the next year or so even if he does sign a new contract. It wouldn’t surprise me if he then left in a year’s time. Leicester tying him down to a new deal would be largely to protect his value.”

No one will leave

Rodgers made it abundantly clear in December that no one would leave in January and historically that’s something Leicester have looked to do ever since they won the Premier League title.

The Athletic’s Leicester correspondent Rob Tanner appeared on the same podcast on Tuesday, who backed up those claims: “Leicester never sell in January. They never sell one of their key players but they always sell one every summer and they have done since they won the title. They know where they stand as a club at the moment.”

With that in mind, Maddison’s future seems safe for now but it feels incredibly unlikely that United’s interest is likely to dip before the summer.

At the time of writing, it’s Leicester who appear more likely to end up in the Champions League as they sit in the top four. Therefore, the lure of United and Old Trafford might not be enough for the creative midfielder.

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Harry Maguire may well have made the move northwards last summer, but United have stagnated since. Leicester, on the other hand, have taken themselves to another level and sit in third, 11 points clear of the Red Devils.

Maddison should be looking to sign a new deal and stay with the Foxes.

In other news, Leicester have ruled out a move for their potential Ricardo Pereira successor...