After months of chasing and speculation Newcastle United look to have missed out on James Maddison as the Leicester City man has agreed terms on a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Newcastle have been keen on James Maddison since the PIF-led takeover went through and the England playmaker was constantly linked with a move to Tyneside in every transfer window.
It was so prevalent that Maddison was constantly questioned about the move while on World Cup duty with England towards the back end of last year. Thenagain this summer when on England duty, Callum Wilson was joking about the speculation.
Maddison is Tottenham bound despite all the links with Newcastle
It seemed inevitable that Maddison would, at some point become a Newcastle United player.
However, that no longer seems to be the case with Tottenham now having agreed terms with the player and the club over a £40million move.
So, how will Newcastle take this news? Pretty well according to Luke Edwards who tweeted: “NUFC liked Maddison a lot, but they were not going to be messed around and [Sandro] Tonali became the priority this month. I think there will be some disappointment gone elsewhere but nothing major. Other priorities to address this summer. He was a “luxury” option if that makes sense?
“What it does probably illustrate is that their spending does have to be sensible this summer. At £40m, which is what they bid 12 months ago, it wasn’t a ridiculous fee. I just think they weren’t convinced at any stage Maddison really wanted to come so why push hard for it.”
There was always people who thought Maddison would choose the move to London over Newcastle and it now seems those people were right.
To me it shows a lack of ambition on Maddison’s part if, and I do mean if, both options were truly on the table. The two clubs’ current trajectories couldn’t be more opposite.
Newcastle will not be bullied in the transfer market
Of course we aren’t privy to all the details. Newcastle might not even have made a move this summer. Maddison might have a personal reason to want London that goes beyond superficial things like image.
It also shows again how Newcastle will not be taken for mugs in the transfer market and if they don’t feel that a deal represents good value or that a club is trying to gouge them for more money due to their wealthy backers, they’re more than happy to walk away.
Now it just remains to be seen who Newcastle go for instead of Maddison. Dominik Szoboszlai of RB Leipzig is the current favourite, but like the Maddison deal. the club’s demands could see the Magpies walk away empty handed.
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