A trusted source has detailed the primary requirement Tottenham and Newcastle must meet if they’ve any hope of signing James Maddison, and which team are likely to be favoured has been hinted at.
The Leicester talisman, 26, is among the Premier League’s finest midfield playmakers. The likes of Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal have that position sewn up through Kevin de Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes and Martin Odegaard respectively, though two fellow top four rivals would greatly benefit from signing Maddison.
Tottenham and Newcastle have both been linked with the Foxes ace who is out of contract in 2024.
Both clubs are entrenched in the battle for Champions League qualification this season. A Maddison addition would provide a huge boost to their causes.
Newcastle lodged multiple bids for Maddison last summer, though Brendan Rodgers and co. held firm.
However, Leicester’s season has lurched from one disappointment to another and six months on, a move to St. James’ Park now looks far more appealing.
CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs reports Leicester are understandably keen to retain their star man for a while longer yet.
However, once the summer comes, Maddison will be in the final year of his deal and a sale would make perfect sense.
Jacobs added only a ‘massive offer’ will prise Maddison away from the King Power this month. It’s unlikely Spurs or Newcastle will table a big enough bid in January, though if they do, a deal is there for the making.
In any case, a move at season’s end is deemed the likelier prospect. On that front, Jacobs added a summer move allows Maddison more time to assess his options, and tellingly, see who has Champions League football on offer.
Maddison move could hinge on who gets top four
With Newcastle’s rapid rise under Eddie Howe, the ‘big six’ has quickly become a ‘big seven’. At least three huge sides will miss out on top four every year and if Newcastle or Spurs are among them, it’s suggested Maddison won’t favour a move that way.
The onus is therefore on Howe and Antonio Conte to guide their sides into the UCL places. Failure to do so will result in Maddison favouring another move.
Jacobs also stated Maddison was in fact ‘tempted’ when Newcastle came calling with official offers last summer. However, the player’s insistence on keeping his options open may be a good sign for Tottenham.
Indeed, Jacobs concluded Spurs are ‘one to watch’ when it comes to a Maddison transfer at some stage in 2023.
Newcastle’s second bad last summer reportedly totalled £50m. Leicester are understood to value Maddison around the £60m mark.
As a Premier League-proven playmaker in the prime of his career, he could be worth every penny and then some.
Source: teamtalk
