Newcastle United are now increasingly confident of the transfer of Leicester City ace James Maddison. And Paul Merson believes he can be the difference between winning and losing.
Merson has backed Southampton to beat Leicester on Saturday if Maddison cannot return to Brendan Rodgers’ line-up. But he expects the Foxes will win on their travels to St Mary’s if the 26-year-old overcomes his recent illness. It has kept him from their past two fixtures.
Maddison had to sit out Leicester’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League last Saturday. He also missed their 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday. But Rodgers is confident the maestro has recovered to make his side’s weekend trip to the south coast.
“James should be fine,” Rodgers said on Thursday, via Leicestershire Live. “Fingers crossed he gets through the rest of the week okay. He’s a very important player for us. James gives us another dimension but, ultimately, it’s about the team.”
Maddison is Leicester’s top scorer so far this season across all competitions with nine goals in 19 games. He is also their joint assist leader having created five alongside Jamie Vardy in 29 games. Each of Maddison’s goal involvements have come over his 17 top-flight fixtures.
Newcastle are now confident of securing a transfer for Maddison with Leicester
But Maddison faces an uncertain future at Leicester beyond this season as Newcastle eye a transfer. 90min reports Toon boss Eddie Howe has made the playmaker his top target. The Toon are also confident of striking a deal with the Foxes as his contract ends in June 2024.
Leicester are in talks with Maddison over a new contract to fend off Newcastle’s interest in his transfer, per The Telegraph. But 90min has also named Arsenal and Manchester City as suitors for the England ace. The Guardian also liked the Toon with a £50m bid last summer.
Merson feels Maddison is now the difference between a Foxes win or a defeat
Newcastle failed to secure Maddison’s services as Leicester wanted £60m to sell their one-cap playmaker. The Foxes’ refusal to lower their valuation has proven hugely beneficial for Rodgers this season. Now, Merson believes he is the difference between a win or a defeat.
“This is one of the games to look forward to this weekend,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda. “Leicester City crashed out of the FA Cup in midweek against Blackburn Rovers. They can be really poor at times.
“I’m backing Southampton to win this one if James Maddison doesn’t play. If he plays, Leicester will win. That’s how big the attacking midfielder is for them.”
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