Pep Guardiola has been frustrated with a lack of output from his midfielders in recent weeks – Bernardo Silva has failed to score in the Premier League since August and failed to make an assist since October while Ilkay Gundogan has failed to score since August and failed to make an assist since November.
Guardiola wants to sign a prolific playmaker to add some goals to Manchester City’s midfield and is considering a move for Leicester City’s James Maddison, but Roger Pros Pereira of Don Balon says he might cost €100m (£89.2m). That bizarrely high asking price can’t be true, however, as his contract is up next year and he’s expected to leave.
Maddison has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Leicester this season, scoring eight goals with four assists. The 26-year-old has had a hand in 89 goals from 188 games since joining the Foxes from Norwich City in 2018, so he’s been a sure bet for years.
Manager Brendan Rodgers seemed resigned to losing Maddison earlier in the season, so Leicester may have to cash in early rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2024. This certainly benefits City as they’ll be able to sign him for less than his market value.
Newcastle were told to pay £60m for Maddison in January, so City won’t need the £90m quoted by Pereira.
In other news, Liverpool faltering is good news for Man City’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham
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