Leicester eye £17m Championship raid for Mahrez replacement

Leicester will turn their attentions to Norwich star James Maddison if they are forced to cash in on Riyad Mahrez in the summer, reports The Sun.

Mahrez has handed in two transfer requests since the end of last season and is desperate to leave Leicester and move to one of the biggest clubs of Europe.

The Algeria international failed to force through a move to Manchester City in January but is expected to push to leave the King Power Stadium at the end of the season.

Leicester have proved they will not roll over and let Mahrez leave the club but only if their high demands are met by any potential suitor.

However, the Foxes are now planning for life without their star man and have identified Maddison as the ideal replacement for the 27-year-old.

Maddison is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English football outside of the Premier League and has already been heavily linked with moves to the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea.

It emerged last month that Norwich had slapped a £25m price tag on the 21-year-old’s head but Leicester will attempt to secure his services for less than that.

Maddison has created the most goalscoring opportunities in the Championship this season (106).