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The January transfer window is moving closer, with the market re-opening in under two months for Premier League clubs to kick-start their business again.

Leicester City will have the opportunity to add to their squad, but other teams could also look at trying to raid the Foxes - with one man already the source of speculation.

Looking ahead to January, Brendan Rodgers said in September: “I think every club around the country is sitting down and looking at the January window already and predicting.

“For us, it’s mostly about improvement. For us, it’s about how we can improve. We came here and picked up the squad that was here – a lot of those guys are still here so there’s a lot of growth in them – but as a club we want to keep moving forward. For that, you need to plan forward.”

While players have been linked with joining City, there is one rumour that just won’t go away concerning a potential departure from the King Power Stadium.

James Maddison has been heavily linked with Premier League rivals – notably Manchester United – recently.

So what are the chances of the highly-rated playmaker making the move to Old Trafford, or anywhere else, anytime soon?

Here’s what we know about the speculation.

'£60m transfer'

Maddison will cost around £60 million, three times the price he cost Rodgers' side when he arrived at Leicester from Norwich City in June last year.

That's according to the Times who report that United would be willing to meet that fee to secure the 22-year-old, who has become one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League.

United scouts have reportedly been tasked with monitoring Maddison this season ahead of a bid for the attacking midfielder next summer.

It is understood they are unlikely to make their move in January.

Liverpool link

Liverpool have also been monitoring Maddison’s progress this year as they scout for potential signings.

That’s according to the Daily Star who reported in the summer that the Anfield side are big admirers of the player who has already scored four goals and notched three assists in all competitions already this campaign.

Since then, several former Reds players turned pundits have urged their ex-exmployers to try and lure Maddison to Merseyside.

Steve Nicol said: "I would love to see a little change in that with somebody like Maddison, who no question has already shown in the Premier League, from the middle of the park, he can open defences up, he can create chances.

“I think he will eventually score more goals than he is doing right now. I would love to see this.”

While Jimmy Carter told Liverpool to break the bank to land him: “James Maddison seems like a perfect fit for Liverpool. For me if Liverpool were to get him, they’re talking about £70-75million.

“I would pay £100m to get James Maddison into the midfield at Liverpool, and he would be an instant success.”

Tottenham too

Tottenham are also keeping a close eye on Maddison if reports are to be believed.

Spurs have a track record of promoting English talent and according to Football Insider, have Maddison as well as City colleagues Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray on their transfer wishlist.

Leicester fended off interest from the North London side to sign Maddison last year, before we went on to score seven goals and lay on as many assists in his debut top-flight campaign.

What Rodgers has said

Asked if he would stand aside should a top club come in for Maddison, Rodgers said in September: "No, not necessarily. In a player’s career, there will always be that temptation.

"This is a club that doesn’t want to sell its best players, but of course, if there’s a valuation that is met, which meets what the club perceive the player to be worth, then there will be a discussion.

"But it’s not something we want to invite. James is very much a talented player for us.

"He still has lots of improvements to make as a young player. He, along with a number of young players, we want to keep here. But of course, I'm a realist as well.

"I understand how the market works. But it’s not something we would be looking to entertain."

(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City via Getty Images)

What Maddison has said

He was asked about the constant speculation in the summer and vowed not to be distracted. He told Sky Sports: "No, you have just got to ignore that and take it all in your stride.

"As a 17 year-old boy I'd started five games for Coventry and saw on my phone that I was being linked with Tottenham and Liverpool.

"With transfer talk you need to take it as a compliment that people are even talking about you, it won't distract me."

Leicester's stance

Rodgers' answer to the Maddison question was a diplomatic one but make no mistake about it - he does not want to see his prized asset leave.

City would not be interested in selling him and would do their utmost to keep him at the club where they believe he can can continue to flourish.

The England under-21 international, who is on course to make his senior debut for the Three Lions, is under contract until 2023.

There are two sides to every coin, though, and an approach from United, for example, could kick off a saga similar to that revolving around Harry Maguire, which dominated the headlines for months before the centre-back eventually moved to Old Trafford for £80m.