CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has told Football Transfers that Newcastle United target James Maddison is not pushing to leave Leicester City in the same way as Youri Tielemans in January.
Transfer blow for Newcastle in Maddison chase?
Recently, Jacobs himself told GiveMeSport that Eddie Howe’s men were willing to pay in excess of the set valuation to prise the England international away from the King Power Stadium.
In the summer, the reputed journalist explained that the Magpies were £10-£15 million short in the fee they were willing to pay to sign the 25-year-old.
Additionally, he had also said via GiveMeSport that Leicester City had set a £60 million price tag for any club that were keen on his signature.
However, it remains unlikely that the Foxes let James Maddison leave in any case, considering he has been head and shoulders above every player at the club this season, despite him entering the final year of his contract.
Registering an impressive 7 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League this season, the former Norwich City midfielder is perhaps the sole reason why the club are even in 13th place in the league to begin with.
With Jacobs claiming that while Maddison will be subject to a whole host of offers, he is not driving for a move away from the club unlike Tielemans, Newcastle may have lost out on signing him for the time being.
Huge dilemma on Newcastle’s hands
On one hand, Newcastle United could take the pragmatic approach, wait for the summer and bring James Maddison in at the club at a relatively reasonable fee, considering he will have entered the final year of his deal.
In addition, an interested ‘Big Six’ club could well splash the cash to make the deal come to fruition.
And on the other hand, the capture of a player in such sensational form could well be a step towards Eddie Howe’s men securing top four this season.
Only time will tell whether Newcastle go all in for Maddison in January or continue with their measured approach in the transfer market.
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