Why even a £2m bid from interested Championship clubs in Sunderland-linked Peterborough United midfielder would be rejected

Maddison, whose contract is set to expire next summer, has long been linked with boyhood club Sunderland. He has a £2.5million release clause.

Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph: “Marcus is different as if a club meets his transfer clause we can’t stop him leaving, but we will reject any other bid, even one as big as £2 million.

“The main intention for January is to sign players. We want midfielders and a back-up striker in my opinion, but we might have to sell fringe players first to stay inside financial fairplay regulations and interest in the likes of Alex Woodyard and Aaron Chapman has been minimal.”

Sunderland are not expected to make a move for the attacking midfielder in the winter window.