Manchester United target James Maddison wants Old Trafford move in the summer

James Maddison wants to leave Leicester City for Manchester United as the Red Devils make the midfielder one of their primary transfer targets for the summer.

The 23-year-old was a Manchester United fan as a child and is keen to play for the club he grew up supporting.

The Manchester Evening News reports that ‘he would have been at United years ago’ if it was his choice, and will welcome an approach if it comes in the next transfer window.

United have been linked with the England international for the last two transfer windows and could make a bid for his services in the summer.

Maddison is on a shortlist of three names as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to add a central play-maker to his squad, with Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and Ajax star Donny van de Beek also being considered.

The Foxes man is thought to be top of that list, but the Red Devils may be put off by the enormous fee Leicester will request for one of their star performers.

The former Norwich man is under contract at Leicester until 2023 and the team third in the Premier League are under absolutely no financial pressure to sell him.

They demonstrated how steadfast they can be over transfers by sticking to their guns over Harry Maguire last year, demanding £80m for this signature and eventually receiving it from Manchester United.

Having paid £24m for him from Norwich in 2016, the Foxes would probably be looking for even more than the £80m they got for Maguire in 2019.

United are reportedly optimistic of getting a transfer done, but they may be tempted to turn to Grealish or Van de Beek, who will both represent cheaper alternatives.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers moved to defend Maddison this week after pictures surfaced of him on a night out in Dubai during the winter break.

The Northern Irishman would clearly like to keep his player at the King Power and is a big fan of him on and off the pitch.

‘I can only judge him on my time here, nearly a year now, he’s been absolutely brilliant for me. And outside of the pitch, he’s been an absolute joy,’ said Rodgers.

‘A charming young man, really respectful. He really respects what he has here at Leicester.’