Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Leicester City’s James Maddison for some time now, and PIF must get a deal over the line this summer to take their project to the next level.
What’s the latest on Newcastle’s pursuit of James Maddison?
Football Insider claimed last week that Newcastle United are in ‘pole position’ to swoop for the Foxes playmaker at the end of the season, with the Foxes reportedly resigned to losing the 26-year-old whether they retain their Premier League status or not.
Eddie Howe’s men are not the only club after Maddison however, with several top Premier clubs vying for his signature.
Why must Leicester sign Maddison?
The transformation at Newcastle since the takeover by PIF and the appointment of Howe has been stark.
The club have gone from relegation candidates to favourites for a top-four finish and have strengthened well all over the pitch – whether it be in defence with Trippier and Botman, in midfield with Bruno Guimaraes or up front with Alexander Isak.
However, one area where they are lacking is in the creative midfield role, struggling at times to find the spark of creativity to break down low blocks and stubborn defences.
Signing Maddison would completely revolutionise the way the Magpies attack, with his vision and ability to thread passes through the eye of a needle exactly the thing they need to progress from battling for Champions League qualification to contending for the Premier League title.
The former Liverpool midfielder said on talkSPORT that “he is one of the most creative players in the Premier League” and “he would give them something they haven’t got.”
Even in a relegation-threatened Leicester side Maddison has performed impressively, showing his creativity by leading the Foxes for completed live-ball passes that lead to a shot (55) and fouls drawn that lead to a shot attempt (8), as well as being third for progressive carries (53) and progressive passes (118).
He also leads his team for goal involvements (15), showing he can translate this creative spark into an end product.
The £110k-per-week man also performed well for England recently in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine, being labelled “excellent” by Gareth Southgate and “brilliant” by former Foxes striker Dion Dublin.
If PIF can bring Maddison to St James’ Park this summer, his passing range and creative spark would give Newcastle a completely different way of attacking with many new options for breaking down a defence.
He would be the signing that elevates the Magpies to a whole new level.