Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested that he would be surprised if James Maddison left the King Power Stadium this summer.
The 25-year-old has spent the last four seasons with the Foxes, contributing 45 goals and 32 assists from 170 appearances in all competitions.
Despite Leicester enduring a disappointing campaign on the domestic scene during 2021-22, Maddison arguably enjoyed one of the his best years in a Leicester shirt.
With two years remaining on his contract, speculation will naturally emerge regarding his long-term future at the East Midlands outfit.
Over the past 48 hours, it has been claimed that Newcastle United are ready to pay big-money to sign the playmaker before the end of the summer transfer window.
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The Magpies, who are yet to make an attacking addition ahead of the new campaign, are said to have offered in the region of £40m for the England international.
Leicester have allegedly rejected that approach, the indication being that it will take a bid of £60m to tempt them into a sale.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Rodgers has indicated that he expects Maddison to remain in his squad for the upcoming campaign.
The Northern Irishman said: "He's still very much a player here. You see his performance, you see how happy he is and he's not a player we want to sell.
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"It's not for me to put valuations on the players, it's not my side, but that might just cover three-quarters of his left leg, that price. He's a top player."
Leicester are currently in a position where they are unable to sign any new players, a combination of their squad numbers and being unable to generate funds from any one of their 10 players who are out of contract next summer.
Chelsea are prepared to pay a big-money fee for defender Wesley Fofana, offering Leicester and Rodgers a solution when it comes to giving the club more freedom in the transfer market.
However, Rodgers has insisted that the Frenchman, who is valued in the region of £70m and on a long-term contract, is not for sale.
Darren Plant
