Leicester City are hoping to finalise a new contract for Belgian international Youri Tielemans before the start of the season, and have no intention of selling the player.
Tielemans opened talks with the Foxes over a new deal earlier this year, and discussions progressed well. A conclusion was not reached before the European Championships though, and both sides agreed to put them on hold until after the tournament.
Now Leicester are keen to finalise an extension, which they realise is needed to keep Tielemans at the club long term – with Leicester breaking the monopoly of the Premier League’s big six in the last couple of years and ambitions growing that they can qualify for the Champions League on a regular basis.
Brendan Rodgers does not want to lose a player who has become central to his plans to do that, even while transfer links with the likes of Liverpool have emerged in recent weeks. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all kept tabs on the 24-year-old’s situation in the last 12 months too.
Leicester, though see Tielemans as key to their future. Sources close to Leicester have confirmed to 90min that the club are ‘confident’ that Tielemans will put pen to paper eventually and commit his future.
However, whilst the Foxes will rebuff enquiries for Tielemans, the same can’t be said of James Maddison.
Whilst Leicester are not actively looking to move Maddison on, they are aware of interest in him – mainly from Arsenal. And Leicester are ready to listen to offers if they come in and are big enough.
England international Maddison is also believed to be open to the idea of a move away from the club, particularly to one in London.
Maddison signed a new long-term deal last year, and enjoyed a good start to the season. But he suffered a hip injury midway through the campaign and struggled to regain his form which cost him a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad.