Leicester City are set to swoop for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ilias Chair, as they prepare for life without James Maddison following their relegation from the Premier League, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke.
James Maddison has been the subject of transfer interest for quite some time with many speculating where he would end up, however, no transfer would ever be completed. Leicester are reportedly set to part ways with the 26-year-old as their nine-year stay in the top flight came to an end with a victory over West Ham not enough to save them on the final day of the season.
Football Insider has claimed that their sources tell them Tottenham are hopeful of completing a deal for Maddison as the squad at Leicester is expected to be trimmed down due to their relegation and the midfielder is likely to be the first of many names to leave the King Power. However, with just over 12 months remaining on the English midfielder’s contract, a number of top-flight clubs are circling with Arsenal and Newcastle set to give Tottenham stiff competition for his signature.
Queens Park Rangers have been at the wrong end of the table for the majority of this season, but that has not stopped Moroccan midfielder Ilias Chair from establishing himself as one of the most creative players in the Championship this season with five goals and nine assists in 40 games last season for the club.
Not only that but Chair was part of a Morocco team that created a Cinderella story at the Qatar World Cup in December as they became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final before being eliminated by defending champion France led by Kylian Mbappe. Chair only made one appearance in the tournament, coming after their exit, as they lost 2-1 to 2018 finalists Croatia in a third-placed playoff.
With it looking likely that Maddison exits the club, the Foxes will be keen to replace him immediately and Chair is not likely to command the type of money that they will receive from the sale of Maddison and the Moroccan is the type of figure who could replace the Englishman and provide some much needed Championship experience as they seek a return to the top flight.
Writer’s View
Chair is a key figure for Queens Park Rangers and will be a hard name for them to replace, however, the same can be said for Madison and following the Foxes’ relegation, it is hard to see such a talented player being one of the names that remain with the club. The Moroccan can bring a lot of experience that the club will be looking for to see them return to the Premier League.
