Chelsea show ‘clear interest’ in signing £51m-rated PL star; face competition from rivals

Transfer News: Chelsea battle Manchester City in the race to sign Leicester midfielder James Maddison

A report by Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Express) states that Chelsea have shown interest in signing Leicester City midfielder, James Maddison, in the summer transfer window. But it also mentions that Manchester City are keeping tabs on the English international.

Maddison joined the King Power Stadium back in 2018 from Norwich City. Since then, he has set the Premier League alight and has now caught the attention of two of the biggest clubs in England at the moment. Leicester have slapped a £51million price tag on the 24-year-old midfielder.

Leicester midfielder, James Maddison, is a transfer target for Chelsea and Manchester City.
Leicester midfielder, James Maddison, is a transfer target for Chelsea and Manchester City. (Reuters)

The report states that Chelsea are expected to have an upper hand in the transfer face to Guardiola’s transfer priorities of signing a striker in the summer transfer window.

Battle for Maddison

Sergio Aguero will leave the Etihad Stadium this summer and Guardiola prioritizes a striker to fill the void. Nevertheless, City should not be ruled out in the transfer race for Maddison, who has 21 goal contributions in all competitions this season. (h/t Express)

Maddison has a contract that runs until the summer of 2024. The attacking midfielder could be a great addition to Chelsea’s midfield, especially with the system that they play.

Could Maddison stunt Mason Mount's development?
Could Maddison stunt Mason Mount’s development? (GETTY Images)

Thomas Tuchel likes to play two attacking midfielders behind his striker; a position which Maddison is adept at. His signing, of course, would add to the already talented roster of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech that are deployed as playmakers.

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He would add depth and quality to the midfield instantly upon his arrival and can prove to be a brilliant player to bring off the bench. Moreover, he can push for starts and increase competition for the starting places – and of course, his best years are surely in front of him.