Newcastle United have reportedly identified James Maddison as their key summer transfer target.
The Tyneside club have been linked with the Englishman previously and even made two bids to sign him last summer.
Looking ahead to the next summer transfer window, the Magpies already know who their main target will be.
According to a recent report from the Northern Echo, Newcastle will try again to sign Maddison in the summer, but will likely face stiff competition from fellow Premier League side Manchester City for his signature.
The report also adds that planning for the next summer window is already underway at St. James’ Park and that the club are hoping that the patience they had when securing deals for the likes of Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon will be just as fruitful for them this time around with Maddison.
During his time with Leicester City, the 26-year-old has scored 53 goals and delivered 36 assists in 188 appearances across all competitions.
This season has seen the England international show how much of a top Premier League player he is and why he’d be worth the wait for Newcastle to sign.
Should James Maddison be Newcastle's top summer transfer target?
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For example, in addition to scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 15 league appearances, the midfielder has racked up the eighth-highest average of shots per game (2.8) in the division and the fifth-highest average of key passes per game (2.2).
His overall performances have earned Maddison, who has been hailed as ‘immense‘, a strong season rating of 7.29/10 from WhoScored, making him the highest-rated player at Leicester that has made more than one league appearance this term.
Moving forward, if the Toon can beat City to the Leicester star’s signature in the summer, this would surely be a star signing for the club and give Eddie Howe an extra midfield option to his squad with someone who would add another attacking dynamic to their side.