Leicester City identify Ilias Chair as James Maddison replacement?

Leicester City have reportedly identified Queens Park Rangers attacker Ilias Chair as a potential replacement for James Maddison.

The Foxes are bracing themselves for a summer exodus after being relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season.

The likes of Caglar Soyuncu and Youri Tielemans are set to depart when their contracts expire next month, but Leicester are also expecting to receive offers for some of their most prized assets.

They are already resigned to losing Maddison, with the midfielder set to enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer.

Alongside his Leicester teammate Harvey Barnes, Maddison is a target for both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

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Arsenal are also believed to be interested in the 26-year-old, who is expected to command a fee in the region of £40m.

With Maddison heading towards a summer exit, Leicester have already begun drawing up plans for possible replacements.

According to Football Insider, Leicester have identified Chair as a potential target for the summer transfer window.

Chair showcased the versatility that he would be able to offer Leicester throughout the 2022-23 campaign, featuring as an attacking midfielder, a winger and a central striker at different points of the season.

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In a difficult campaign for QPR, the Morocco international scored five goals and provided nine assists across 40 Championship appearances.

Having played 173 games in the second tier of English football, Chair would bring vital Championship experience to a Leicester side looking to win promotion straight back to the Premier League.

Chair is under contract until the summer of 2025, and the West London club have the option of extending his deal by a further 12 months.

Although QPR would be in a strong negotiating position, the Moroccan is likely to cost a fraction of the fee that Leicester could receive for Maddison.