Gabby Agbonlahor has stated that Newcastle United’s rumoured transfer bid of ‘£40 million’ for Leicester City star and Tottenham transfer target, James Maddison, is ‘disrespectful’, as he told talkSPORT.
The former Aston Villa striker added that ‘£60 million is about right’ for the English midfielder, but if he was Leicester, then he would only sell him ‘unless you give me £80 million’.
There are a number of Premier League clubs keen to add Maddison to their ranks this summer, including the likes of Newcastle, Spurs and Arsenal.
But with the 2022 summer transfer window in its final month, Eddie Howe has made Maddison a top target for Newcastle before the window slams shut following their rumoured bid.
The Foxes are yet to sign anyone this summer, so if their first port of action is to sell one of their key players, then it wouldn’t sit well with the fans, as Agbonlahor reacted to the rumours and blasted Newcastle for their actions.
“I think it’s disrespectful bidding £40 million for James Maddison,” said Agbonlahor. “I think the career he has had so far, and especially towards the second half of last season, he definitely deserved an England call.
“So, £40 million is disrespectful. But £60 million is about right. Still, if Leicester accepts £60 million, what does that say about them? And their aspirations this season?
“He should be a player that no amount of money you would sell him for. You would try to keep him and build on him during this coming season.
“They haven’t been busy in the market. They can’t afford to lose the likes of Fofana, Maddison and Barnes. They should be indispensable to the club.
“I think they will keep him. £60 million is about right, but for me, I would say to Newcastle ‘he’s not going anywhere unless you give me £80 million because he is that important to what we are trying to achieve.”
SHOULD MADDISON MOVE TO NEWCASTLE?
The 25-year-old has a big call to make because you could make the argument that Newcastle are on their way up, whilst the Foxes are headed the other way.
Maddison produced his best season last time out, scoring 12 goals from the middle of the park in the Premier League, but it didn’t result in an England call.
Gareth Southgate doesn’t seem to be a fan of the player and perhaps, ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Maddison might think a change of scene might help him.
But, at the end of the day, he did help Leicester win the FA Cup a few seasons back, yet he was still snubbed, so the question does have to be asked as to what more he needs to do.
Either way, with questions about Leicester being asked ahead of the new season, it will be interesting to see how Maddison himself reacts to these rumours.
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