Rodgers offers Newcastle fresh encouragement in James Maddison chase during BBC interview

Brendan Rodgers' latest comments on potential outgoings at Leicester City make prick up ears at St James' Park.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, he's confirmed the club may have to sell a few assets to make room for new signings, accepting they're in a "very difficult" position and attempting to balance the books.

So farm the Foxes have rejected our opening two offers for James Maddison, with reports in France last night suggesting that Chelsea have launched a big-money bid for Wesley Fofana.

This doesn't mean they'll suddenly sell on the cheap, but if you combine Leicester's need to raise funds with Maddison's reported interest in making the move to St James' Park, it seems like there's a deal to be done here.

Here's what Rodgers told the BBC when asked about the lack of signings and potential exits for Maddison and Fofana:

“I became aware towards the end of the season that the club would have to balance it’s books, then of course that becomes very difficult.

"The club will not look to spend money they don’t have and that is where the club is stable and they will always be very sensible.”

"It would have to be about trimming the squad or selling your assets [to make new signings]. That’s something that the club are looking closely at.

“It’s where we're at. The squad needs to get trimmed. Until that happens, I have to concentrate on the players that I have.”