Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that James Maddison and Harvey Barnes will lead a summer exodus from Leicester City, after the club’s relegation was confirmed at the weekend.
Leicester are hoping to receive more than £40m for Maddison, with Newcastle United, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur all targeting him.
As it stands, the Mail claim Newcastle are the early favourites for the signing.
The Mail also highlight Youri Tielemans’ departure, after his long-standing links to Arsenal, but the midfielder appears set to leave the Premier League on a free transfer. AS Roma and Borussia Dortmund are keen on him.
John Cross confirms for the Mirror that Spurs, Newcastle, and Arsenal are among the clubs eyeing Maddison this summer, writing that the player’s contract to 2024 could means he leaves for around £40m.
But Leicester are likely to value him at more than £50m, and they’re hoping a bidding war will help them to achieve that figure.
In Arsenal’s case, Cross claims the Gunners may need to offload players first before making a move for Maddison, with their primary focus this summer on the likes of Declan Rice.
The Mirror had previously suggested that Arsenal may sell Emile Smith Rowe to make room for new signings, and perhaps a move for Maddison is contingent on his departure.
Despite Leicester’s relegation, Maddison scored 10 goals and assisted nine in 30 Premier League games this season.
The 26-year-old continued to provide a threat for his club until the end, and he also received an England call-back, joining the squad at the World Cup before making a start in March.
Maddison is in the England squad again for the upcoming international break, along with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka.