Former Leicester City defender Danny Simpson fancies James Maddison to make the switch to Manchester United, given he has the potential to be a world-class player. The midfielder has been with the Foxes for just 13 months and during this period, he has become one of the most creative players for the east Midlands side.

Speaking to Goal.com, Simpson was asked whether his former teammate has the credentials to make the move to Old Trafford and his response was positive, he said: “Yeah. He, for me, is world class. I think people are speaking right now but honestly I think for an English player as well, honestly he’s world class and he’s only going to get better and better.

“He’s that good, honestly. Honestly, he’s got it all. He’s quick in his mind so I think he doesn’t need to have blistering pace running past people because he’s clever and he thinks before everyone else. “So he doesn’t have to be your typical ‘I’m going to run past you and beat you’ because his qualities are there with his vision and his passing.”

Maddison fared impressively during his debut league campaign last term where he contributed seven goals and seven assists. He has continued with the same level of form during the ongoing campaign with two goals from three appearances and this has spread the speculation that he could be the subject of interest from Manchester United.

The Red Devils were touted to pursue a creative player during the summer transfer window but they did not happen before the deadline. Nonetheless, the Mancunian giants continue to be fancied to bolster the attack at the turn of the year and Maddison has been identified as a £80m target for the former Premier League champions.

Leicester have already made good business with the Red Devils following the summer sale of Harry Maguire for £80m. They may, however, decline the opportunity to sanction Maddison’s departure at the midway stage of the season.