Newcastle dealt significant blow as £60m target ‘wants to join’ Arsenal or Tottenham instead

Newcastle United target James Maddison reportedly “wants to join” Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur this summer from Leicester City.

The 25-year-old enjoyed one of his best seasons to date for Leicester last term. He has been critical of himself in the past, recognising his need to add more goals and assists to his game.

Maddison’s game stepped up last season as he grabbed twelve goals and eight assists in the Premier League.

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His form was bound to attract interest from rivals. Newcastle have moved to sign him, as they have already had two bids rejected by Leicester City.

Even though Leicester finished higher than Newcastle in the Premier League in 2021/22, it is understandable that Danny Mills thinks a move to the Magpies would be a “step forward”:

“It’s a step forward. You’ve got to look at where the two clubs are going,” Mills said (via Newcastle World).

“OK, so if you’re going to go off where they finished last year – that’s the only argument you have.

“Newcastle is a club on an upward trajectory. Leicester, at the moment, is on a downward trajectory.

“They’re about to lose Kasper Schmeichel, they’re losing players left, right and centre. They still haven’t brought a player in. (Youri) Tielemens could go, Wesley Fofana as well.

“Leicester, at the moment, looks like it is a club heading down. Their recruitment has been non-existent.

“Newcastle, with everything they’re putting in place and building for the future, would be a great move for him.”

If journalist Dean Jones is to be believed though, Maddison may not want to join Newcastle.

He has claimed that he instead “wants to join” Arsenal or Tottenham. The problem is that it does seem like they will bid for Maddison.

Both clubs have spent over £90m on new recruits this summer and they will likely not have an extra £60m to meet Leicester’s asking price. 

Jones is reporting that if the north London clubs do not bid, Maddison will remain at Leicester:

“James Maddison has had an approach from Newcastle. The offer Newcastle have put to Leicester isn’t enough and they have to decide whether or not to bid again,” Jones told The Done Deal Show.

“They’ve not been encouraged to bid again and I don’t get any signs that Maddison actually wants to join Newcastle; from what I hear Maddison wants to join Tottenham or Arsenal.

“If he’s going to leave Leicester one of those two need to make an offer. That’s the latest I’ve heard.”