Craig Hope has insisted that PIF have the money available if they wish to buy Newcastle United transfer target James Maddison.
The midfielder is enjoying a stunning start to the season with five goals and two assists in just seven league starts, so it’s no surprise that Newcastle were seemingly very keen on adding him over the summer.
The Magpies lodged two bids for Maddison, with the final one coming in at around the £50m mark, though they were knocked back with Leicester City wanting closer to £60m, which now seems rather fair given how well he’s been performing this season.
Speaking on the True Faith podcast, Hope claimed that Eddie Howe will have the funds to sign Maddison in January, although bringing him in won’t be that straightforward.
He said: “If Leicester are still in the bottom three, bottom four [in January] and James Maddison is playing the way he is, they’re probably not going to sell him for £50m, and to that end, I don’t think Newcastle will go to a £60m or £70m [bid] when they know they probably could have had him for low-50s if they really pushed it in the summer.
“There’s a lot of moving parts on that one – do they like Maddison? Yes. Does Eddie Howe like him? Yes. Did Eddie Howe see James Maddison as an absolute priority? Well, no, probably not, but he was one of those he looked at and thought, you know what, if you can get a very, very good player in, an exceptional player, at a price which represents value, do you do it? Well, yes, you absolutely do it.
Should Newcastle sign Maddison in January?
Yes!
No!
“The Maddison money from the summer instead went on Alexander Isak. Now, is the money there to go out and buy James Maddison? Yes, the money is there to go out and buy him – the money is there for everything. That’s not the same question as are they able to go and do it, because there are the FFP parameters.
“That would give them a big decision to make.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle United’s interest in James Maddison…
Newcastle have performed well this season, losing just once – thanks to a 98th-minute goal away to Liverpool – and even keeping the reigning champions Manchester City to a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park.
However, prior to their 4-1 win away to Fulham, they’d scored just three goals in their four games prior, so having someone such as Maddison within their ranks could have been invaluable in their push for a European spot.
It has been reported that Newcastle will indeed go back in for Maddison after the World Cup, but if he maintains this level of excellence in the Premier League (and potentially in an England shirt), he may well have more suitors, and the Toon’s pursuit could come to an end before it really gets going.