Newcastle United

Newcastle United: James Maddison not pushing for a move to club

|
Image for Newcastle United: James Maddison not pushing for a move to club

Newcastle United target James Maddison has “not really pushed” Leicester City into sanctioning a move for him to move to St. James’ Park this summer.

That is according to Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest transfer news regarding the Magpies, as we head into the final few months of the window.

Eddie Howe’s side have been heavily linked with a move for Maddison this summer, and have reportedly had two bids turned down for the 25-year-old, with the latter reported to be a fee of over £40m, with the Foxes placing a £60m figure on the attacking midfielder’s head.

However, the former Norwich City man has just two years remaining on his reported £110k-per-week contract at the King Power Stadium, suggesting that Brendan Rodgers’ side may have to make a decision on the midfielder’s future before the next transfer window. 

But Jones believes that Maddison, who has been dubbed as “terrific” by former Newcastle man Lee Clark, hasn’t pushed the Leicester board to allow him to move on, but feels it may be different if a Champions League club came in for him this summer.

He said: “If a Champions League club came in for him, it would be different to Newcastle coming in for him, I think, and he hasn’t really pushed for that move to Newcastle.

“I think that’s because they’re not really at that much of a different level to where he’s at now.

“In fact, he’s been playing at a higher level than Newcastle up to now.”

TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…

We believe that Newcastle fans will be disappointed to hear that Maddison may not be convinced on a move up north due to the lack of Champions League football on offer.

The one-time England international, who has been described as Newcastle’s ‘top priority’, has already scored one goal and provided one assist in just two Leicester appearances this season according to Transfermarkt, and ranks in the top 8% of attacking midfielders/wingers across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes (0.44) over the last 365 days according to FBref, suggesting that he would be a suitable goal threat for Howe’s side. 

Therefore, we believe that despite Maddison’s potential reservations, the club should be looking to sell the project to the Coventry-born midfielder to improve the quality of Howe’s attacking line.

Share this article