Newcastle United should snap up James Maddison at his current £60m asking price, claims Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Maddison had previously been close to signing for Newcastle in the summer window as the Toon stumped up a bid worth only £50m which was rebuffed.
It now looks to have been a great decision from Leicester City not to bow to demands for their star man, who’s scored seven and assisted four in just 13 league games, dragging them away from the drop after their horrific start had them bottom for weeks.
His form has proved he’s worth every penny and more to Leicester, but only a £60m price tag put on him in January seems cheap considering.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider that the Magpies should be all over his signature when asked what he thought about his apparent price tag.
He said: “I think that’s fair.
“Kalvin Phillips went for a similar price and he’s not an attacking player so I think it’s more than fair.
“Newcastle should bite their arms off at that fee because he’s worth every penny.
“He’s got 18 months left on his contract so I think £60million is the right price for Maddison.”
TIF Thoughts on Agbonlahor’s comments…
Maddison’s quality this season and last season have seen him as one of the brightest talents and playmakers in the country, for the Toon to up their previous offer by £10m, would be nothing compared to their owners’ reserves.
There isn’t a player like the 26-year-old either in that squad with him in the top 1% amongst midfielders over the past year for goals and shots total, he’s also in the top 3% for assists and top 4% for shot-creating actions, highlighting just how ruthless he has been in the final third.
Newcastle must be all over this deal for another reason, it’s the perfect transfer that will signal their intention on the Premier League by taking one of its most in-form and talented stars ahead of the classic big six team move.
Signing the “brilliant” Maddison, as dubbed by Darren Ambrose, would give them the platform to clinch and maintain Champions League football from this season and beyond.