‘So did Mahrez’: Simon Jordan claims Newcastle transfer for ‘very gifted’ player looks likely

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Simon Jordan has claimed that Newcastle United possibly securing the transfer of James Maddison this summer ‘looks likely’, as he told talkSPORT.

The former Crystal Palace owner pointed out how Leicester City have sold their top talents before, as they did with someone like Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City, and they might have to do so again with James Maddison.

Newcastle are adamant about signing the attacking midfielder and recently saw a second bid of £50 million rejected for the 25-year-old.

Whilst Eddie Howe can sell a project to Maddison, the fact of the matter is that they aren’t in Europe, so would that be off-putting for the player in question?

Time will tell on that one, but Jordan is certain that given the direction Leicester and Newcastle are going in, he can possibly see the latter overtaking the Midlands side.

“It’s interesting that they are linked with players like James Maddison at Newcastle,” said Jordan. “Leicester are the natural emulation, the natural step for Newcastle to be looking to overtake clubs like Leicester and build upon the successes and achievements of clubs like Leicester.

“They don’t have their embarrassment of riches, but do have significant levels of success. Premier League and the FA Cup.”

Jordan added further on talkSPORT: “Cleary there has to be an out policy before there is an in policy – If Maddison has to go, then so did Mahrez, so did Drinkwater and some of these top players, like N’Golo Kante. They all have gone and Leicester have continued to be an elite Premier League side in the top eight of the division.

“It looks likely (Maddison transfer). Of course, people have to meet the valuations – this isn’t a model they haven’t done before.”

COULD MADDISON EARN ENGLAND CALL AT NEWCASTLE?

Even though Maddison scored 12 Premier League goals last season from the middle of the park, Gareth Southgate still ignored him and opted against selecting him for his recent England squads – Tony Cascarino labelled him as a ‘very gifted’ player.

There are many who feel that the Coventry-born player deserves that call, but would the argument be made that he has more chance in the colours of Black and White?

Well, from Newcastle’s perspective, they will certainly be trying to make that argument in order to lure the player in their direction.

But it needs to be remembered that James Justin, who plays in the same team as Maddison, recently earned an England call, so this isn’t a case of the level or club size of Leicester getting in the midfielder’s way of playing for his country.

It seems as though a certain Gareth Southgate just doesn’t like what Maddison does from a defensive standpoint, what he does without the ball and his lack of intensity. Some may not like that, but it would be a shame if that’s what is actually keeping him out.