James Maddison boosts Newcastle United’s Champions League bid

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Newcastle United are very much in the race to qualify for the Champions League, and our bid has been strengthened by James Maddison.

The Magpies have tried and failed to sign the Leicester midfielder during the previous two transfer windows, and it is expected that he will be a target once again when the current season ends.

The Northern Echo have reported that Newcastle will make a fresh attempt to sign Maddison, who was valued at £60million last year.

A move to St James’ Park will surely be extremely appealing for the 26-year-old if they are in the Champions League.

Eddie Howe’s side are fourth in the Premier League after 22 games, and their hopes of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition have been boosted on Saturday.

James Maddison helps Newcastle as Leicester beat Tottenham

While Maddison did not join Newcastle in January, he is still having an impact on the Magpies’ season.

He captained Leicester City against Tottenham on Saturday, and played a key role in a vital win for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

The Foxes beat Spurs 4-1, with Maddison grabbing a goal and an assist. It means that he now has 14 goal contributions this season – a very impressive tally in a struggling side.

While Newcastle would rather he was contributing in a black and white shirt, he has helped Howe’s side this weekend. Seeing Tottenham lose was a big result for the Magpies. If they had won, they would have dumped Newcastle out of the top four.

But the defeat leaves them in fifth, and Newcastle have now extended the gap to two points courtesy of the draw with Bournemouth. The disappointment will be that they didn’t win, as the gap could now be four points.

Maddison’s efforts against Tottenham gave Newcastle a chance to strengthen their position in the top four. They failed to fully capitalise, drawing 1-1 at the Vitality Stadium.

But Tottenham’s result means that it is a point gained, and we can thank Maddison for that – a player who could be one of our own next season if Howe and Dan Ashworth get their way.