Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have been backed to beat Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur in the transfer race for Leicester City star, James Maddison, according to a Sky Sports reporter.
Rob Dorsett has shared that Tottenham wouldn’t be willing to pay ‘the salary James Maddison wants’, whilst the Magpies might just be ‘prepared to pay’ his big wages.
It’s not a surprise that Newcastle have more financial might than Spurs, but reports are mixed about Maddison’s next destination, with the London club leading the race one minute, and then a sudden twist as a move to St James’ Park is now being backed by transfer expert Dorsett, as he told Sky Sports News.
This will be music to the ears of the Toon Army faithful because, in what is an already strong midfield, a player like Maddison would elevate their XI even further.
It’s the same for Spurs, who ever since they sold Christian Eriksen in 2020 to Inter, still haven’t replaced the now-Manchester United star.
But with Danny Murphy previously suggesting that Maddison is a ‘very rare’ player, well, he could now be heading towards Newcastle this summer.
“Leicester are likely to want in excess of £60 million for James Maddison,” said Dorsett. “Don’t expect them to sell for any less than £50 million. I think it would be a much higher figure if he had longer left on his contract.
“He has one-year left on his existing contract, which leaves Leicester in a bit of a tricky situation in regards to him because most agents and clubs you speak to will tell you that James Maddison is probably worth more than £50 million. But with a year left on his contract, it brings his value right down.
“We know that Spurs and Newcastle are interested, but there maybe more when time passes – it’s pretty clear that Maddison will move if the money is right.
“Leicester pay big salaries. These players we are talking about, with Maddison at the tip of the iceberg, are on big money, so if they go somewhere else, then they are going to expect at least the same. Who can expect to pay that sort of money?
“I don’t think Spurs would want to pay the salary that James Maddison would want. It does come back to Newcastle, I have just got this sneaking suspicion that Newcastle will come in for him, be prepared to pay the money because he is somebody in a position that they haven’t got – if you have my gut feeling, it’s Newcastle.”
Is Maddison a Champions League-level midfielder?
The 26-year-old has been outstanding for a Leicester side that hasn’t played at the Champions League level, but flirted with Europe, and then last season, produced a quite abject season by going down.
He has netted 23 goals during his last two campaigns from the middle of the park, which is pretty good going and a strong reason why he is wanted by many.
But is the England international a Champions League-quality player? He has done enough to prove that he is too good for a team outside of Europe, and with Newcastle set to play against the elite next season, then Maddison deserves his chance.
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