According to the Express, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff are keen on the Norwegian pursuing a January transfer bid for Leicester’s highly-rated playmaker James Maddison. The former Norwich player has been linked with the Red Devils since the summer.

Maddison would be a fantastic signing for United

The current Manchester United team is short of a midfield playmaker at the minute. In fact, in truth, the current squad are short on quality in every position. There is no doubt that James Maddison would be a fantastic signing for the Red Devils.

He would also fit into boss Solskjaer’s mould of signing, as the Norwegian is attempting to build a young and vibrant team. Maddison would be the perfect number ten in a United team that needs some inspiration. The former Norwich star has scored twice and also produced two assists for the Foxes this season. This season is just a continuance of the last campaign when he impressed for the team from the Midlands.

Is a move to United a step at the moment?

Despite the fact that Leicester have won the Premier League more recently than United, there is no question that the Red Devils are a bigger club. However, at the moment, Leicester are looking the more likely team to finish in the top-four than the woeful United. Somebody asked would the move be a step sideways in a forum?

At the minute, it would be a step-down. Leicester are looking like a highly capable team under the highly-rated Brendan Rodgers. They also have a good mix of youth and experience. If you asked most fans at the minute whose squad would they rather have, I think the majority would choose Leicester’s over United.

As a neutral, I would certainly favour the Foxes squad over the Red Devils. In terms of teams, of setups Rodgers team just looks better. No doubt United are underperforming and will rise up the table at some point, while the Foxes could drift.

However, the switch from Leicester to Manchester United is no longer giant, which illustrates the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in recent times. England centre-back Harry Maguire could not resist the lure of Old Trafford last summer.

Maybe he wishes he would have stayed at Leicester now. Will the lure of a move to Manchester be the same for Maddison? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, the attacking midfielder will certainly not come cheaply, as the Foxes showed with the sale of Maguire they will only sell for a hefty fee.

Leicester unlikely to allow Maddison to leave January

It seems highly unlikely that Leicester would allow James Maddison to leave the winter transfer window. It would be impossible to replace him, even if United offered an exorbitant amount of money for Maddison. The youngster is a key player for the Foxes, who are odds of 11/4 to finish in the Premier League this season.

If, and that’s a big if Maddison does want to make the move and the two clubs come to a financial agreement, then the summer would surely be better for a move. However, who knows Leicester may well finish in the top-four, but it looks unlikely that United will, even at this early stage of the season.

It would not be a great move from Maddison to go from a team playing Champions League football to a team not. We do not know what the future holds. What we do know is that Maddison is a very good player and would add a lot to United’s team, while taking away his not inconsiderable ability from the Foxes.

Is James Maddison to Manchester United in January a realistic possibility?