Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer and Manchester United are set to accelerate their interest in Leicester City’s £60m-rated James Maddison, according to reports from The Independent.
Maddison, 22, enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League after joining the Foxes last summer in a £20m deal from Norwich, scoring seven goals and registering seven assists.
This has seen the playmaker earn a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, although this summer he will compete for Aidy Bouthroyd’s U21’s at the Euros in Italy and San Marino.
The rise of Maddison has not gone unnoticed by the Premier League’s elite, with Tottenham and Arsenal both marked as suitors of interest alongside United’s impending move for the talented midfielder.
If United are able to secure the deal, it would represent Solsjkaer’s first major signing since taking the reins at Old Trafford, as the Norwegian bids to guide United’s re-emergence into domestic and European relevance in the 2019/2020 campaign.
At £60m, Maddison would represent a shrewd investment for United in an inflated market, but with Leicester’s reputation for driving a hard bargain in the instances of club-record sale Riyad Mahrez, this deal may not be simplistic.
The Foxes are likely to ramp up the price, especially considering the additional interest from Arsenal and Spurs; with the latter expected to spend their potential £72m Champions League windfall in acquiring Maddison’s services.
