Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase for Coventry City starlet James Maddison.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been one of the standout performers in League One this season, and could leave the Ricoh Arena in January, according to The Independent.

However, any move is likely to entail a switch back to the West Midlands on loan for the rest of the season, similar to the arrangement struck between Tottenham and MK Dons for Dele Alli last term.

Premier League clubs could be more willing to dip into the third tier for young talent after seeing the emergence of Alli at White Hart Lane.

The midfield man has gone on to establish himself at Spurs, forcing his way into the England squad with a string of impressive displays.

Arsenal or Liverpool could end up paying up to £10million for Maddison, twice the price paid by Tottenham for Alli.

Maddison missed much of last season through injury, prompting Coventry boss Tony Mowbray to say his game time will be managed following Saturday's 1-1 draw against Oldham.

“James is a high quality footballer, we all know that” Mowbray said.

“But it is no good rushing a young boy who has been out for four months or so.

"We will feed him back into the team bit by bit over the next two or three weeks, to get him back to speed.”

Maddison has helped Coventry to foruth in League One, two points outside the automatic promotion places, as they look to go up back to the Championship.

Source: Daily Mirror

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