Liverpool and Chelsea have joined the battle to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison, according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs.

The 26-year-old is expected to leave the King Power Stadium after the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship. The likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle have been named as the midfielder’s main suitors but Jacobs claims that the Reds could also enter the fray:

“Liverpool are there, Spurs are there as well, but with Tottenham the fee could be delayed a bit. I will be intrigued to see if the goalposts move there. I know people talk about Arsenal as well, and even Liverpool or Chelsea, there will be a range of interest in him and it will depend on the price at this point.”

It is believed that Leicester could demand between £40m and £50m for Maddison, which is quite a sizeable sum for a player who is closing in on the final year of his contract.

Competition for the England international could, of course, help keep his valuation high so it remains to be seen whether Liverpool would consider making a bid at that price.

Do Liverpool need a player like Maddison?

Manager Jurgen Klopp is undoubtedly in the market for more than one midfielder this summer. The Reds are set to lose vice-captain James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita on free transfers at the end of the month.

Alexis Mac Allister will fill one of the positions, with the Brighton star’s move to Anfield expected to be confirmed at some point this week, but more additions are expected.

Maddison does prefer to play as a no.10, and he could actually be accommodated into Liverpool’s new system. With the Merseysiders set to lose out on Mason Mount to Manchester United as well, his England teammate could be seen as a viable alternative.