Manchester United to offer £45m plus Jesse Lingard for James Maddison

Manchester United are ready to offer £45m plus Jesse Lingard to Leicester City to complete the signing of James Maddison in the January transfer window. (h/t Express)

With Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba injured, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is in need of midfield reinforcements as United seek a top-four spot.

The United hierarchy have identified Leicester midfielder James Maddison as a key target in the midfield rebuild and are ready to make a move this January. (h/t Daily Mail)

In addition to cash, United are also prepared to sacrifice Jesse Lingard in a player +cash offer for the Foxes midfielder.

27-year-old Lingard whose recent form has come scrutiny has played for Leicester in the 2012-13 season while on loan from United. (h/t Transfermarkt)

The winger continues to struggle for form and has not scored not assisted a goal this calendar year. (h/t Whoscored)

This has seen him dropped from Gareth Southgate’s England squad. The player has not featured in the national side since the  UEFA Nations League final in Portugal.

Maddison has continued from where he left off last season and has helped Leicester to second in the table. The 23-year-old has scored 6 goals and 3 assists in 20 appearances. (h/t Whoscored)

Lack of  Champions League football a concern?

With the player desperate to play in the Champions League, United’s ability to qualify for next season’s competition will play a part in convincing him.

United hope to convince the player by tripling his current salary by three times to  £150,000-a-week.

More Manchester United News

• Manchester United reject chance to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic in January
• Chris Smalling set to leave Manchester United for AS Roma
• Manchester United to offer Nemanja Matic new deal if they don’t receive £15m for Serbian

Whether it is enough or not remains to be seen.

United are currently fifth in the table. 5 points off Chelsea in fourth.