As ever, there has been an update on the James Maddison saga at Newcastle United.
The Leicester City and England playmaker has long been linked with a move to St James’ Park and was the subject of multiple bids last season.
Maddison is again said to have emerged as a target this summer, albeit relegated Leicester are reportedly ready to demand as much as £60m.
Tottenham are thought to offer rival interest on that front, though the Champions League factor may stand Newcastle in good stead.
Still, there’s only so far the club are willing to go, it seems.
How Newcastle feel about James Maddison’s price tag
With Newcastle not having a bottomless pit of money to work with despite finishing in the top four last season, they have to be fairly cautious in the transfer market.
According to The Athletic, the major priority for the club this summer is signing a new midfielder to unleash Bruno Guimaraes into a more advanced role, something the Brazilian is keen to do.
To that end, Maddison is reportedly not seen as the main priority at such a big price. If a deal can be done, it is claimed Newcastle will do so, but for now the signing of a new midfielder in a deeper position is the priority.
That makes sense for Newcastle
Though clearly disappointing if Newcastle do not sign Maddison after chasing him for almost a year, strengthening the position in which Eddie Howe is most keen to do obviously makes sense.
While you could hardly paint Newcastle as up against it financially, they are certainly not in the realms of spending hundreds of millions of pounds on all sort of positions during one transfer window yet.
Maddison is clearly a talented player but there are more pressing needs elsewhere.
This is a sensible approach from Newcastle. Coherent squad planning can only be a better thing long-term.
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