Leicester start negotiations with James Maddison over a new contract as Foxes could DOUBLE his £50,000-a-week wages to scare off interest from Manchester United
* Leicester have begun talks with James Maddison and could double his wages
* The midfielder has three and half years left on his current £50,000-a-week deal
* Manchester United are rumoured to be interested after a stellar season so far
Leicester have opened initial talks with James Maddison over a bumper new contract with the England midfielder the subject of interest from Manchester United.
The midfielder, who turns 23 on Saturday, has three and a half years left on his current deal and is currently earning about £50,000 a week at the King Power Stadium.
Although discussions are only at an early stage, it is thought Maddison could expect to double his current salary if both parties can reach an agreement.
James Maddison could be tied down to a new contract at Leicester after an impressive season. The midfielder has blossomed under the guidance of manager Brendan Rodgers at the club
Maddison earned his first senior England cap against Montenegro last week and is pushing hard for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2020. His excellent form this season has also attracted interest from United, who signed Harry Maguire from Leicester last summer.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has been hugely encouraged by Maddison's form this term, which has helped the Foxes reach second in the table. Maddison has four goals in two assists in the league this term.
Rodgers also warned rival clubs targeting Leicester players in January that their approaches were unlikely to be successful.
Along with Maddison, left back Ben Chilwell is on the radar of Chelsea if their transfer ban is lifted, while centre backs Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu have also attracted interest from wealthier clubs.
Rodgers said: 'The worst-case scenario for us is we'll have the same squad as we have now which I'm very happy with.
'There's a lot of development left in this squad. Every club will lose players at some point but we've absolutely no plans to lose anyone in January.
'Our job is to keep what we have, which is important and, if there's an opportunity to improve the squad we will look to do that. If not we will carry on with the squad we have, which is very strong.'
Meanwhile, defender Jonny Evans is available for Saturday's trip to Brighton despite spending time in hospital with a stomach virus during the international break.
Evans missed Northern Ireland's Euro 2020 qualifying defeat in Germany with the illness but Rodgers is confident he will be ready when the Premier League resumes.
He added: 'He had an issue with his stomach and he had to go into hospital for a few days. Thankfully he's come back in, feels much better and he trained today and did a light bit yesterday. He should be fit and well.'
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