Leicester have rejected a second bid from Newcastle for midfielder James Maddison – with the latest proposal being made at just over £40million.
The Magpies saw their initial bid of £40m rejected at the weekend and the latest offer is understood to be above that figure.
Leicester are believed to value Maddison, who joined the Foxes for £24m from Norwich in June 2018, at close to £60m.
Newcastle are now deciding whether to return with an improved offer or focus on other targets.
Should Newcastle complete a deal for the Foxes midfielder, Maddison would become the club’s record signing – eclipsing 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.
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 rebuffed in their bid to sign Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon, while France striker Hugo Ekitike opted for a move to Paris Saint- Germain instead of Newcastle.
The north-east 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: No way I want to sell Maddison
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers does not want to lose Maddison this summer
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers wants to keep Maddison and joked after Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win over Sevilla that £40million would buy “three quarters of his left foot”.
Leicester, who are the only Premier League side yet to make a signing this summer, still need to sell to bring in reinforcements, but Rodgers insisted they will not take advantage of Maddison or others.
“It’s clear, within the club, a financial situation that’s not ideal in terms of wanting to do business. That doesn’t mean we’re going to be exploited and we don’t want to lose our best players,” he said. .
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Rodgers says Maddison has added a work ethic and maturity this season which has made him even more impressive.
“You don’t want to lose your best players and then not be able to bring any in. This doesn’t work.
“With James, he’s looking the best he has in my time here. He’s a pleasure to work with. I love him as a young man, watching him grow since I first came with a 25-year-old father.
“He’s really important to us. There’s no way I’d want to sell him.”
Fofana has hinted that he is leaving Leicester?
Leicester defender Wesley Fofana is a target for Chelsea this summer
Leicester don’t want to sell Wesley Fofana – but Sky Sports News understands that they will not be deterred if a Champions League club makes an acceptable offer and he is determined to leave.
Chelsea are interested in signing the 21-year-old and are considering making a bid as they look to sign a new centre-back.
However, Leicester have not given an exact figure for Fofana’s valuation.
Rodgers echoed the club’s stance that Fofana is “not for sale” after they beat Sevilla 1-0 in their final friendly of the season on Sunday.
“Obviously, he’s a top talent,” Rodgers said. “He still has a lot of improvement to make. He is very happy here, he really likes being here.
“Obviously, he will attract the interest of other clubs. Our job, we haven’t signed anyone so far, is to at least keep the players we have. I know that is the goal of the club.”
Fofana made a cryptic post on social media on Instagram on Wednesday with a caption in French that translates to: “My dad told me you’ll upset a lot of people when you start doing what’s best for you and I’ve started understand. that.”
He has also removed references to Leicester from his Twitter bio.
Does Leicester still hold an ominous sign?
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy speaking on the Transfer Show:
“The thing about Leicester is that they are the only Premier League club who have not strengthened their first team so far, and he is not the only experienced player who could leave.
“When you look at that team and think about the injuries they’ve had, you think it’s a group that needs to be refreshed.
“If there are going to be departures of key players – Kasper Schmeichel, James Maddison, maybe Wesley Fofana – without strengthening the squad and sanctioning these exits, I’m actually a bit worried about Brendan Rodgers.
“Leicester’s expectation is that they have to push in and around the Champions League places, but they’ve stayed still, which isn’t a good indicator of how they’ll perform this season.
“There’s been a lot of talk that they should let the players go first before they invest, and ultimately they’ll know their targets. They’re great salespeople and they’ve recruited well in the past.”
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