Keith Downie has claimed that he can’t see Newcastle United signing top transfer target James Maddison.
Newcastle were very much interested in the midfielder over the summer having lodged two bids and that may well have been their best chance to snap him up. And given how well he’s now performing, the Magpies may well wish they’d pushed the boat out to sign him.
Maddison headed into this weekend with five goals and two assists to his name in the Premier League, and that sort of form is likely to see clubs higher up in the table start to show an interest in the midfielder, which could be a huge blow for the Magpies if they decide to reignite their interest.
Speaking to The Magpie Channel TV, Downie revealed why he thinks Newcastle will miss out on their £60m target.
He said: “Every goal he scores is going to add a bit onto his price tag. Listen, don’t shoot the messenger, I don’t know. I just don’t think that’ll happen. I hope I’m wrong, I just think you’ve got to look at what Maddison wants.
“You heard Maddison in his interview the other night talking about the players at the big clubs, he said it a couple of times – obviously, he’s alluding to your Fodens, your Grealishes, Sterlings, who play in the same position he does in the England squad. He’s not in it; he’s desperate to get in that England squad.
Is Maddison worth £60 million?
Yes!
No!
“Will he think going from Leicester to Newcastle elevates him into the England squad while Newcastle aren’t in Europe? I’m not too sure about that.”
TIF Thoughts on interest in Maddison…
It would be a major coup for Newcastle if they could tempt Maddison to Tyneside, and while his contract situation at Leicester may well work in their favour as he has a deal that expires in 2024, that will also intrigue a lot of other clubs.
Reports have claimed that the Magpies will indeed make another move for Maddison in the January transfer window, but if he ends up making the England squad and thrives at the World Cup, we feel they could likely kiss their dreams of signing him away given the calibre of teams that’ll likely be interested in him.
Craig Hope has recently spoken about Maddison and that Howe indeed liked the midfielder over the summer, but didn’t see him as a priority recruit. However, he may well regret that decision if he ends up joining a top-six club in the near future.