Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury wants to sort his future BEFORE the start of the new season amid Southampton interest with just a year left on his deal

Hamza Choudhury wants his long-term future settled by the start of the season amid interest from Southampton.

The midfielder has a year remaining on his contract with Leicester, who were relegated from the top flight along with Saints last term.

New Foxes boss Enzo Maresca sees Choudhury as part of his plans for the campaign ahead yet given he will be a free agent in less than 12 months, Leicester would consider a permanent deal in this window. Southampton have asked to be kept informed of his circumstances but have yet to lodge a formal bid.

Local boy Choudhury fell out of favour under former boss Brendan Rodgers and spent last season on loan at Watford in the Championship. Had Leicester stayed up last season, he would surely have departed this term but there is more likely to be a role for him in the second tier.

Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury wants to settle his long-term future ahead of the season 

He has just a year left on his current deal and has attracted interest from Southampton

James Maddison and Harvey Barnes have already departed this summer for Tottenham and Newcastle respectively, bringing nearly £80million into the coffers. Yet there are a number of others who may leave before the window closes, including Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare and Timothy Castagne.

Leicester begin their Championship campaign against Coventry on August 6 but their preparations took a huge hit when a friendly against Tottenham in Bangkok, scheduled for July 23, had to be called off a short notice because of the weather.

Maresca and his squad now travel to Singapore to meet Liverpool in another friendly on July 30 – a week before facing Coventry at King Power Stadium.

New Leicester boss Enzo Maresca sees Choudhury in his plans but the Foxes are open to offers