James Maddison is “very keen” on a move to another Premier League club, claims Football Insider, amid interest from Newcastle.
The Toon are thought to have had two bids for Maddison rejected in the summer – the second of which was in the region of £50m – with Leicester City demanding around £60m.
According to the Northern Echo, the Magpies are set to make the 25-year-old their ‘number one transfer priority’ in January, with an attacking midfielder at the top of their shopping list.
However, their plans may be scuppered following a report from Football Insider.
The outlet has claimed that the Foxes maestro has told friends that he wants to join a club playing in the Champions League and believes he can ‘thrive at that level.’
He is thought to be “very keen” on a switch to Tottenham Hotspur and would ‘jump at the chance’ to join the Lilywhites should they act on their interest next year.
The same source suggests that much will depend on Leicester’s valuation, which is unlikely to change from the £60m asking price they set in the recent window.
This will most definitely come as blow to Eddie Howe and PIF, considering that Champions League football does seem beyond the northeast club in their first full season under the new owners.
This report reinforces what transfer insider Dean Jones said on ‘The Done Deal Show’ during the summer, that the former Norwich City playmaker was enamoured with the idea of a move to the capital.
Ben Jacobs, a CBS Sports journalist, previously told GIVEMESPORT that “it’s absolutely true that Conte likes the player a lot,” referring to the £110k-per-week star.
Spurs’ formation may not suit the Coventry-born dynamo, but with ex-Tottenham manager Martin Jol claiming that the club lacks a “creative spark” after failing to beat Sporting Lisbon, they may be open to changing styles.
Last season, Maddison had a fantastic season at the King Power Stadium, averaging a direct goal involvement every 120 minutes, with 18 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions (Transfermarkt).
The “special talent,” as The Times’ chief football correspondent Henry Winter described him, has continued to produce at a high level this season, with three goals and one assist in six Premier League games.
Despite Leicester’s poor form, the man Lee Clark described as “terrific” in the final third has shown that he would be an excellent addition to the Tyneside squad, especially given his Premier League experience.
However, the Magpies may have to move on to other targets as it appears as if he will opt for a move to north London in what is a big blow to Howe and his plans.
