Leicester have identified former Arsenal transfer target Houssem Aouar as a potential replacement for James Maddison with Newcastle pursuing a deal for the English star.
The Gunners were linked with a move for Maddison last summer before the club opted to sign new club captain Martin Odegaard instead. The Foxes' playmaker scored 18 goals and provided a further 12 assists for Brendan Rodgers' side last term and is attracting interest from a number of Premier League rivals.
Aouar has long been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but saw a move to north London fall through a couple of seasons ago, resulting with the French midfielder staying at Lyon. Aouar has been linked with a move to Real Betis this summer but could finally seal a move to the Premier League with Leicester identifying the 24-year-old as a possible replacement should Maddison leave the King Power stadium.
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According to Footmercato, Leicester are targeting Lyon star Aouar should they lose Maddison this summer. Real Betis have stalled in their attempts to sign the 24-year-old in recent days and could allow the Foxes to capitalise on a move with Newcastle pushing to sign the England international.
The Magpies had a bid in the region of £40million rejected last week, an offer that Leicester boss Rodgers admitted 'might cover three-quarters of Maddison's left leg'. The former Liverpool boss said: “He [Maddison] is really pivotal to us. There is no way I would want to sell him. £40m bid? I think it might just cover three-quarters of his left leg”.
Newcastle have since returned with an improved offer of £50million including add-ons as Eddie Howe looks to add the English playmaker to his squad as he rebuilds the Tyneside outfit. Leicester are reluctant to lose more than one of their star players this summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea pursuing deals for Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana.
football.london understands that the Gunners have stalled in their pursuit of Tielemans in recent weeks, despite the Belgium international being keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium. football.london also understands that Blues' owner Todd Boehly initiated contacts with the Fofana's agent midway through last week, but are now looking at Brighton's Marc Cucurella as a possible defensive addition.
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