Newcastle United are reportedly “highly unlikely” to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison in the January transfer window.
Newcastle United had been linked with rekindling their interest in Leicester City playmaker James Maddison in recent weeks. And while they may launch the offensive, they will unlikely land him in January, according to The Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards.
The well-known transfer expert added that Newcastle are not expected to be busy with incomings in the winter transfer window. The Magpies are focusing on strengthening key areas of the squad, and will not splash the cash on a deal that is “very, very expensive and difficult to do.”
Newcastle reportedly sent bids worth £40 million and £45 million in the summer to Leicester City in their effort to secure the services of the attacking midfielder. That came after a stellar season for Maddison, where he contributed with 12 goals and eight assists in the Premier League, helping Leicester finish eighth despite an underwhelming campaign.
The Englishman finished the season with seven goal involvements in the final four games. It is no surprise Newcastle were tempted by the proposition of signing him before the Premier League’s top guns. Their bids, though, were below Leicester’s ideal valuation of Maddison, believed to be around £60 million. As such, after two attempts, Newcastle decided to call off their summer pursuit of the player.
However, links have persisted this season. Reports have suggested that Newcastle are ready to approach Leicester with a fresh bid in the January window as they look to consolidate their top-four position. His mesmeric form this season has likely helped with the Magpies’ decision.
Indeed, Maddison’s 11 goal contributions in 13 games for a side that was suffering at the start of the season demonstrate his brilliance. A scorching start to the Premier League season has propelled him back into the national team, and he is currently representing England at the World Cup.
With just over 18 months remaining on his contract, Maddison’s value will continue to plummet the closer the deal gets to its conclusion. So it would make sense for Newcastle to make a bid to bring Maddison to St. James’ Park in the January transfer window.
However, as per Edwards, that is certainly not the case, with the potential transfer thought to be expensive as it requires a sizable financial outlay. That is both in terms of transfer fees and wages, with the Newcastle hierarchy discussing whether they should break their wage structure to meet the salary demands.
Getting Maddison in the winter window would have been a fantastic piece of business at present. But the Newcastle chiefs may well be giving more preference to squad building and brimming their ranks with exciting young talent.
They plan to ramp up their pursuit of Vasco da Gama’s 18-year-old holding midfielder Andrey Santos, who is dubbed the “Brazilian Busquets” and is ideal for the destructor role thanks to his press resistance and defensive nous. He would be an ideal foil for Newcastle’s high-intensity midfield and could free Bruno Guimaraes into a more creative and advanced role going forward.
