Newcastle United target likened to club legend as Leicester City nervously await improved offer
Newcastle United are reportedly ‘weighing up’ whether to push ahead with an improved offer to sign James Maddison from Leicester City.
It is a worrying time for the Foxes. Ahead of this summer, Brendan Rodgers predicted there to be a “healthy shake-up” before next season but they are yet to sign any new players.
After two consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Premier League, Leicester dropped down to eighth last season.
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They are seemingly waiting to see players this summer as Youri Tielemans, Wesley Fofana and now Maddison have all been linked with moves elsewhere.
Newcastle are looking much more promising as they have brought in Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Matt Targett permanently.
They are now targeting Maddison as earlier this week they had an opening £40m bid for him rejected.
TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino has recognised that Newcastle are “very ambitious” and he thinks Maddison could have his “head turned”:
“James Maddison is a very gifted footballer. Great on set pieces, great on assists, can chip in with really terrific goals and he was playing to that level,” Cascarino said (via Chronicle Live).
“Now, the one thing that interests me about this attempted move is Newcastle are going for an attacking midfielder because that’s what James Maddison is – like a sort of ten – but a very good attacking midfielder.
“Joe Willock had done that role for Newcastle and done it really well when he was on loan, not quite so well when he was on a permanent. Look, Newcastle have done some really good business.
“Would that get them over the line? I’m not so sure, but if they’re offered and we’re lead to believe they’ve offered £40million, it’s pretty clear they’ll probably go to £50m, which is tempting for Leicester. Leicester have been a far more successful club than Newcastle in recent history but it’s quite clear Newcastle are being very ambitious.
“What they did in the January window kept them up. It could be like the Kevin Keegan times there a number of years ago, when there was the excitement of joining a club which could challenge the very best.
“If James Maddison really believes in that – look, he’s a Leicester player so it’s a bit unfair because he might still have the ambition to stay there. When you get your head turned you never know how a player reacts.”
The Sunday Times are reporting that Newcastle United are considering an ‘improved bid’ for the Englishman.
The report suggests that Leicester ‘want more than £50m’ if they are going to sell Maddison this summer.
He has shone for them over the past few years after joining the Foxes for £25m in 2018. His contract expires in 2024.
