OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has accepted James Maddison won’t be joining him at Manchester United next season after the midfielder declared his love for Leicester City.
Despite being linked with a move to Old Trafford since the start of the season, SunSport can reveal Maddison remains on course to sign a bumper £100,000-a-week five-year-deal to extend his stay at the King Power, once the Coronavirus crisis is over.
Maddison reassured relieved Foxes fans he ‘feels part of the furniture,’ at Leicester and has no desire to move away at this stage of his career.
The 23-year-old told LCFC TV: “It’s been a whirlwind two years and I’ve loved every second of it. I feel right at home at Leicester. I feel like part of the furniture already and I love it here.
“I love the lads, I love the fans, we have a great manager, so I’m very, very happy. It’s so disappointing this year that the season has had to come to a stop for now, when we were doing so well and were in such a strong position.
“It’s gone better than I could ever have imagined. It’s been crazy to think back 3-4 years ago when I was on loan at Aberdeen from Norwich.
“Now I’m playing every week in the Premier League, which I’ve always wanted to do. Times like this really make you reflect and I’m proud of myself that I’ve got to this level.”
Despite being consistently linked with Maddison, United chief Ed Woodward was reluctant to do business with Leicester who played hardball with him before pocketing a world record £80million fee for a defender following tortuous talks during Harry Maguire’s lengthy transfer saga.
The Foxes have earned a reputation as fearsome negotiators and Manchester City had to break their transfer record before finally landing Riyad Mahrez for £60million two summers ago, with Maguire going for £80million the following summer.
United interest in Maddison ended when Leicester made it clear the bidding would have to START at £100million for a 23-year-old England international, who still has three years to run on his current deal.
In the meantime Maddison admits he is missing his Foxes teammates and can’t wait for the current lockdown to end so he can help Brendan Rodgers’ side cement third-place and qualify for the Champions’ League.
He said: “For the first time in my life I’m actually doing more exercise than I actually need to do, because there’s nothing else to do to fill the time.
“Being with the lads is the thing I miss the most. I miss the banter at breakfast, the general chat, playing and working hard with them at training, you miss everything.
“I’ve been bombarding the WhatsApp group we have with footy trivia to keep everyone occupied and to keep in touch. I really look forward to seeing them again, whenever that will be.”
