Newcastle may have to sell 26-year-old if they sign James Maddison

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It looks like Newcastle United are set to spend big this summer which means they may also have to sell before they can bring in James Maddison.

With Sandro Tonali seemingly inbound, Newcastle can turn their attention to other targets, one of which is of course, James Maddison of Leicester City.

The Magpies have been chasing the Foxes around in circles to land the England playmaker while fighting off some Cockerels from London as Tottenham also want Maddison.

Saint-Maximin may have to make way for Maddison

However, The Athletic now suggest that Newcastle’s ability to sign Maddison could now depend on one of their top stars making way in the squad.

Allan Saint-Maximin‘s Newcastle future has been the subject of intense speculation since Eddie Howe came in with many people thinking he just doesn’t fit Howe’s style of play.

Reports towards the end of the season suggested that Maxi was finally starting to understand what Howe expects for him, but there’s still a feeling that it may be too little too late for the 26-year-old fan-favourite.

The Athletic suggest that it could be an either/or situation at Newcastle as far as Saint-Maximin and Maddison are concerned, saying: “There is also the question of Allan Saint-Maximin and whether Newcastle would prefer to sell the winger and bring in Maddison instead. It could be that Saint-Maximin has to make way for the England midfielder.”

They then go on to suggest that Maddison could even be a Leicester player when their season kicks off.

Newcastle fans could be divided on which player they’d prefer

The way this transfer saga is going it certainly doesn’t feel like we’re anywhere near getting any answers so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Maddison’s season begins with him playing in the Championship. He could play four games before the window closes.

Newcastle fans are now faced with the question of who they’d prefer to have in the squad next season, Saint-Maximin or Maddison. The mere thought of Saint-Maximin playing for another club sends shivers down the spine of some fans, so this could cause a rift in the fan base.

I don’t think I need to say my preference as it has probably become pretty clear where my thoughts lie if you’ve read any of my other articles on either of these players, but the one positive I will point out is that with either Maddison or Maxi, we will have a top talent on the books.

Maxi has often proven to be ‘unplayable‘ at times and on his day there are few players better. On the flip side, Maddison is much more consistent.