James Maddison has been the name on many Newcastle fans’ lips for a while now.
The subject of multiple bids last summer, the Leicester midfielder was believed to have carried a price tag of £60m, something Newcastle simply refused to pay.
Maddison, however, has not extended his contract with Leicester and will be free to leave in the summer of 2024.
That means this summer is the last chance to sell the England international for anything approaching his true value and that’s without even taking into account the fact the Foxes could yet be relegated.
Still, signing a player of Maddison’s quality will not be easy.
Newcastle dealt James Maddison blow as Tottenham emerge as rivals
Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, Maddison could instead move to Tottenham.
They claim Newcastle remain keen on the 26-year-old but the situation is not as clear-cut as that.
Instead, they suggest “noises” coming out of Maddison’s camp indicate he would currently prefer a move to Spurs.
Newcastle have to be careful
If Maddison is not keen on joining a club who have made it clear they want him during the most exciting period in their history, Newcastle would be wise to approach with caution.
While little about their work in the transfer market would suggest they are likely to be held to ransom, a decision must be made.
Rather than make big offers to players who potentially have their eyes on other moves, ending the pursuit seems wiser in the long run.
That, of course, would be hugely disappointing but there’s only so much that can be done. If Spurs – for whatever reason – appeals to him more, then peace should be made with that.
Newcastle have so many reasons to be optimistic that missing out on Maddison if he truly wants to go elsewhere can hardly be considered too much of a catastrophe.
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