The prospect of James Maddison joining Newcastle United has been given a major boost, according to a Tottenham Hotspur journalist.
Newcastle are heavily linked with a transfer for the Leicester City midfielder.
The Magpies have had not one, but two offers knocked back by the Foxes.
United’s latest offer was around £45 million and with other teams interested – like Tottenham, according to 90 Min – then time is really of the essence for Eddie Howe and Saudi Public Investment Fund.
With a world-class manager and Champions League football on offer, Spurs represent a genuine threat to Newcastle in the Maddison pursuit.
However, Charlie Eccleshare has told Give Me Sport that actually, the Lilywhites – whom he covers for The Athletic – are no longer chasing the England international.
He said: “Spurs say they’re not going after James Maddison and obviously we’re seeing Newcastle step up their interest, so I guess if Spurs are interested, now would be the time to show their hand.”
Is James Maddison joining Newcastle United?
Well that remains to be seen.
What we can deduce is that it’s definitely good news for Howe and co if their North London counterparts are not in the equation, as Eccleshare has intimated here.
As mentioned, Tottenham have enough clout to pose a massive threat to Newcastle in this pursuit.
Spurs, the Magpies and Arsenal are three of the most commonly-linked clubs to Maddison.
There’s very little about Arsenal getting him these days and if Conte and Fabio Paratici are out of the running then that, in theory, leaves the path relatively clear for the St James’s Park outfit.
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