Journalist Ross Gregory has suggested that Newcastle United won’t be able to sign James Maddison until the end of the season.
Maddison is still thought to be top of the Toon’s wishlist, having been knocked back in their efforts to land the England playmaker in the summer.
Newcastle saw multiple bids rejected back in August, with Leicester City asking for closer to £60m.
Previous reports have suggested that the 26-year-old will be a primary target when the market reopens, but Gregory is sceptical about PIF’s chances of signing the maestro mid-season – and insists they may have to wait until the end of the campaign.
Speaking on NUFC Matters, he said: “In the form that he’s in, he’d be pretty much a great addition to every team in the Premier League, I think – not just Newcastle.
“So whether Leicester are wanting to sell – I don’t know if they need the money at the minute after the summer came and went and [considering the] financial issues that they had then. But given the form that he’s in, I don’t see them selling in January, but it might be one to keep an eye on for the summer.”
TIF Thoughts on Maddison and Newcastle…
Should Newcastle sign Maddison in January?
Yes!
No!
The former Coventry ace has certainly been in magnificent form this term, scoring seven goals and creating another four in 13 Premier League appearances.
It’s a level that finally saw him recalled to the England setup by Gareth Southgate, though he is yet to feature in Qatar. Even so, we feel it will likely take a hefty sum to prise the attacker from Leicester’s clutches.
Nevertheless, with the possibility of having European football to offer by the end of the season, Newcastle could be a very attractive proposition for the FA Cup winner at the end of the campaign.