Leicester City is fully aware that James Maddison is a target by several teams. The most notable club in heavy pursuit of the 23-year-old is Manchester United. Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer mentioned they are done as far as taking in new faces to the mix, Maddison could be someone they may consider if the opportunity is on the table. Sadly, that may have gone from low to none following reports that the Foxes are restarting contract talks with the English midfielder.
The Daily Mail reports that Leicester City plans to restart talks with Maddison soon. There were plans to discuss the contract of Maddison back in March but all that got shelved when the COVID-19 pandemic started to get out of hand. With most players and clubs paralyzed, only rumors were in the air. But as far as Maddison is concerned, he already voiced out that he prefers to stay with the Foxes, a place he has grown to love.
Currently, Maddison is under contract with Leicester City until 2023. However, it appears the Foxes want to raise the stakes for any team who may have plans of plucking him away. Aside from potentially frustrating any plans other clubs may have, Maddison, will benefit from it all. If estimates are correct, he may end up doubling his weekly pay if the new deal is sealed. Maddison makes roughly $190,000 a week.
As for United, placing their recruitment efforts was made after resolving the case of Odion Ighalo. Under the new agreement with Shanghai Shenhua, the Nigerian will remain at Old Trafford until January 2021. And if he does well, Ighalo could see his stay move from loanee to permanent if he can prove to Solslkjaer he can continue his run of brilliance. Previously, he showed he could fill in for injured stars like Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. Now, he has to prove he can play alongside the regular starters.
Aside from that, United could be cooking up something bigger. Despite financial woes plaguing most teams, it appears the Red Devils have not given up hope on possibly acquiring Jadon Sancho. Currently, with Borussia Dortmund, it would take a lot of money to get the 20-year-old to Old Trafford. And it appears top brass Ed Woodward has been coming up with the funds for one big signing by the next transfer window.
Woodward was reportedly able to secure a loan worth $175 million that would be added to the existing $112 million cash reserves of United. With an enormous amount of money on standby, that could be used on Sancho or some other high profile name ready to jump ship.
