Man Utd transfer blow with James Maddison looking to sign new long-term Leicester contract

MANCHESTER United's hopes of landing James Maddison have been dealt a blow amid claims he is looking to sign a new long-term Leicester contract.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified the 22-year-old playmaker as a transfer target.

According to, Maddison is considering extending his Foxes contract, which expires in 2023.

But it is understood the player is not yet close to agreeing an extension and could wait until the end of the season before making a decision.

It is believed United bosses are hopeful Maddison’s England team-mates Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard could tempt the midfielder with an Old Trafford switch.

The pair are said to have been an influence on Harry Maguire’s decision to snub Mancheser rivals City in the summer.

And Maguire is still a friend of Maddison's having only left Leicester this summer, which could work in favour of United’s pursuit of the attacking midfielder.

United boss Solskjaer has put an emphasis on signing youthful talent, having spent £150m in the summer on defenders Maguire, 26, and Aaron-Wan Bissaka, 21, and winger Daniel James, 22.

And with Maddison turning 23 this month, it is claimed Old Trafford chiefs view this as the perfect age to make a transfer swoop.

United were put off signing Bruno Fernandes this summer after Sporting Lisbon slapped a £60million tag on the free-scoring midfielder.

But with Solskjaer facing another fight to hold on to Paul Pogba this winter, a creative midfielder is top of the manager’s transfer list.