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Leicester City’s determination to keep the club’s best players has been a vital factor in convincing transfer targets to sign too.

Attacking midfielder James Maddison has made a fantastic start to life as a City player after the club fought off interest from several clubs to sign the promising England under-21 international in the summer.

Maddison, whose set-piece delivery played a key part in both City’s goals in the 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Saturday, has been tipped for an England call-up on the back of his impressive displays but he may not have been convinced to sign for City had the club not matched his own ambition.

Southampton were one of the clubs who were vying to sign Maddison in the summer but they have sold off many of their key players in recent years, while City have been able to keep theirs, signing Harry Maguire, Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel on new long-term contracts.

Maddison said those deals had vindicated his decision to sign for City.

“When I spoke to Claude Puel and Jon Rudkin, the director of football, I knew Leicester was right for me,” Maddison told The Sun.

“Claude told me how I fitted into his plan. It just felt right.

“No disrespect to Southampton but they sold big players in the past. I arrived here and Kasper Schmeichel, Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy were all signing new contracts.

“When those kind of players want to be part of the club, you know something exciting is happening.

“The manager has a record of building exciting young teams. Ben Chilwell, Wilfred Ndidi and myself are all 21, and Demarai Gray is 22.

“Coming from Coventry, location was an additional detail. Mum and dad were happy as they don’t have to travel three hours to Norwich every other week! The closer to home, the easier it is to see them.”