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.
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.
"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. body check tags ::
