Newcastle transfer news: Magpies make second bid for James Maddison

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Newcastle United have now made a second bid for James Maddison.

Their first was rejected on Friday, with Leicester turning down the Magpies’ £40million offer. However, it was claimed that Eddie Howe’s side would return to the table with an improved bid.

That has proven to be the case, although the bid appears to be well short of Leicester’s asking price. They reportedly want £60million for Maddison, which is a lot more than Newcastle are willing to pay.

However, a second bid has at least been submitted according to the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.

Newcastle make second bid for Maddison worth at least £45m

Edwards has tweeted about Newcastle’s second bid for the 25-year-old. He writes that the fee is ‘in excess of £45million, but the payments are staggered’.

While that’s more than the first offer, it might not massively appeal to Leicester. They need to sell to buy, so would prefer to get the bulk of the money up front.

Of course, we don’t know how the offer is staggered. With a bit of luck it might entice the Foxes’ hierarchy into selling. It might all depend on how much in excess of £45million it is.

Edwards adds that Newcastle believe Maddison wants to move to St James’ Park, which could give us a huge boost in this transfer pursuit.

If he makes it clear to Leicester that he wants to leave, they might be more inclined to cash in rather than keep an unhappy player at the King Power.

Club record bid for Maddison

If Leicester accept the offer and Maddison agrees to join Newcastle, he will become the club’s new record signing. A fee in excess of £45million would eclipse the deal that brought Joelinton to Tyneside in 2019.

Breaking the Newcastle transfer record would be a huge statement of intent by the owners, especially with the new Premier League season on the horizon.

Getting Maddison would also be a huge statement of intent. To sign one of the Premier League’s best attacking midfielders from a direct rival would show that Newcastle have really arrived as a force in English football.

Now we wait to hear Leicester’s response. If they say yes, hopefully we can quickly agree personal terms and possibly get him in the squad to face Forest on Saturday.

But that would be getting carried away with ourselves. Newcastle have made a club record second bid for Maddison, and eagerly await Leicester’s decision.