Keith Downie has told Give Me Sport that Newcastle United did make a bid for Leicester City star James Maddison – but it was only a £20million initial offer for the England international. Indeed, The Toon only have £20million to spend.
Maddison, 25, was in sensational form for Leicester last season – reminding all just what he is capable of. Clocking up 53 appearances in all competitions, he had a hand in 30 goals. Scoring 18, the England international laid on 12 assists.
This season, he has continued said form – nabbing an assist against Brentford, and scoring against Arsenal. But with Leicester’s financial issues requiring them to sell before buying, Maddison is a potential sale before the deadline.
Newcastle reporter Downie claims that Newcastle, despite their wealth, only have £20million left in the transfer kitty. He claims that the Toon made an offer for Maddison. But it was only that £20million up front, with future add-ons.
The add-ons would take a deal to £45million. But even that figure was below Leicester’s £60million valuation of their playmaker and he now looks more than likely to remain at the King Power for another season.
“My understanding is that they’ve probably got around about £20 million as a down payment to spend. Then if they wanted to go beyond that they could structure a deal with add-ons,” Downie told Give Me Sport.
“I think with the Maddison deal, I can’t remember the exact amount that they were putting down, but it was something roundabout £20 million and then it was structured up to about £45 million.”
Downie: Newcastle bid for Maddison only £20million initial offer
Ultimately, Leicester need the cash right now. So a small initial offer for Maddison was always going to be rejected. Of their £60million valuation, Leicester would have surely been requesting at least £40million of it up front.
The Toon do need more additions. Most notably, a no.10 and a right winger. With Jonjo Shelvey now sidelined for the next three months, perhaps another holding midfielder might also be on Eddie Howe’s shortlist before the deadline.
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