Leicester open talks with James Maddison over extending £100,000-a-week deal after rejecting £40m Newcastle transfer bid

LEICESTER have opened talks with James Maddison over a new contract, according to reports.

Maddison, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer.

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Newcastle were eager to seal a deal for the midfielder earlier this month, but the club’s interest quickly cooled after their £40million bid was rejected by Leicester.

Brendan Rodgers has since insisted that he will not be sold before the transfer window closes next month.

And in a bid to deter any interest from other clubs, Leicester chiefs have opened talks with Maddison over a contract extension.

According to The Telegraph, The Foxes are attempting to tie him down with an improved deal.

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Initial discussions with the midfielder’s representatives are understood to have taken place before Newcastle expressed an interest.

Talks are still claimed to be in the early stages.

Maddison has just under two years remaining on his current £100,000-a-week contract.

He was Leicester’s star man last season with 18 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions.

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If the Foxes can tie him down with a new contract, it would arguably be their most important signing of the summer.

The club are already at risk of losing Youri Tielemans before the transfer window slams shut.

Tielemans has less than one year remaining on his current deal, and he is not willing to extend.

Arsenal are expected to make a bid for the Belgium international, who is expected to cost around £25m, in the next few weeks.