Pep Guardiola was showing an interest in Leicester City midfielder James Maddison on deadline day, with a view to making a move in the summer, but James Ducker of the Telegraph says Manchester City have ‘distanced themselves’ from signing him.
Guardiola is unhappy with the output of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva this season and wants a goalscoring midfielder to take the burden off Erling Haaland. It’s why Jude Bellingham is on their shortlist, but Maddison may have had his name etched off.
With 53 goals and 36 assists from 188 games for Leicester, it’s easy to see why City would be interested. But it doesn’t appear they want him anymore and no reason was given by Ducker.
Perhaps Pep feels Maddison couldn’t make the step up after club level, mirroring his struggles on the international stage. Or perhaps he didn’t think there would be space for the 26-year-old in the starting eleven. Unless one of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva leaves, a player like Maddison would have to sit on the bench.
The England international is having a great season at Leicester, scoring eight goals with four assists from 15 league games, but it’s clear Pep is looking beyond his impressive numbers. Ducker’s update suggests a move now won’t be on the cards.
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