'Free agent Lallana can be special with Maddison' - Liverpool star should head to Leicester, says Hammond

Adam Lallana has been urged to link up with Leicester when his Liverpool contract expires, with Dean Hammond of the opinion that a "special" partnership can be struck up with James Maddison.

The 32-year-old England international is due to become a free agent when the 2019-20 campaign comes to a close.

Lallana has spent six seasons at Anfield, taking in 178 appearances, but has suffered injury issues and slipped down the pecking order.

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A door is about to open to a new challenge, with the former Southampton man in a position to pick and choose his next destination.

He should have plenty of options to consider, with it possible that former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will look to put a reunion in place at the King Power Stadium.

Hammond would like to see that move made as Lallana could thrive for the Foxes alongside fellow Three Lions star Maddison - providing he is kept from the clutches of Manchester United and Co.

"Personally, I could see Adam Lallana fitting into any team. He is one hell of a player," ex-Foxes midfielder Hammond, who was a team-mate of Lallana at Southampton, told the Leicester Mercury.

"He's one of the best, if not the best I have played with. Both footed, technically brilliant.

"Do Leicester need him? Obviously, that's another question because you've got James Maddison; Harvey Barnes can play in that position. Would he benefit the Leicester team? Would he improve it? Yes, probably.

"He's a really good player. I could imagine, if you could get him and Maddison both into the team playing together it would be pretty special.

"He would be a great signing, whether he comes or not I don't know, I haven't asked him."

Various landing spots have been mooted for Lallana, including Arsenal, while it has also been suggested that he may yet to commit to fresh terms at Anfield.

That appears unlikely, with Jurgen Klopp preparing to dip back into the transfer market for further creativity and goal threat, but anything is possible as English football waits on the resumption of competitive action amid the coronavirus pandemic.