Leicester City playmaker James Maddison would reportedly prefer to join either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur over Newcastle United this summer.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium, with the Magpies stepping up their interest in the Foxes star within the last week.
Eddie Howe is yet to sign an attacking player this summer, but has identified Maddison as one of his leading targets with just under a month of the transfer window remaining.
Newcastle are understood to have seen two bids rejected by Leicester for Maddison, the latest offer believed to be worth just over £40m.
Leicester value Maddison, who has two years remaining on his contract, at closer to £60m and manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that the midfielder will stay with the club this summer.
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Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, the Northern Irishman said: "[Maddison is] still very much a player here. You see his performance, you see how happy he is and he's not a player we want to sell.
"It's not for me to put valuations on the players, it's not my side, but that might just cover three-quarters of his left leg, that price. He's a top player."
Leicester failed to qualify for any European competition last season after finishing eighth in the Premier League as well as losing to Roma in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
Maddison, who scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists in 53 games last season, is believed to be keen to play in Europe, and a move away from the King Power Stadium could still be on the cards this summer despite Rodgers's comments.
Even though Newcastle are hoping to lure Maddison to St James' Park, transfer insider Dean Jones claims that the Englishman would favour a move to either Arsenal or Spurs if they presented him with an offer this summer.
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Speaking to The Done Deal Show, Jones said: "James Maddison has had an approach from Newcastle. The offer Newcastle have put to Leicester isn't enough and they have to decide whether or not to bid again.
"They've not been encouraged to bid again and I don't get any signs that Maddison actually wants to join Newcastle; from what I hear Maddison wants to join Tottenham or Arsenal."
"If he's going to leave Leicester one of those two need to make an offer. That's the latest I've heard."
Both Arsenal and Spurs have previously been linked with a move for Maddison, but they are believed to be prioritising other targets at present.
The Gunners are allegedly interested in Maddison's Leicester teammate Youri Tielemans, who could be available for as little as £30m – half of Maddison's valuation – as he has just a year remaining on his contract.
Spurs, meanwhile, are believed to be in talks with Roma over a potential deal for Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo, who is valued at €50m (£41.9m) by Jose Mourinho's side.
Oliver Thomas
