Former James Maddison teammate provides transfer insight amid Newcastle United interest
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Newcastle United have been told they will sign a player made for the Champions League if they can win the race for Leicester City star James Maddison.
The Magpies were repeatedly linked with a move for the England international last summer and reportedly made a number of unsuccessful bids to lure the Foxes playmaker to Tyneside. That was followed by further reports suggesting another move could be made this summer as his future at the King Power Stadium remains the source of constant speculation as his side battle against relegation from the Premier League.
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Hide AdMaddison will also enter into the final 12 months of his current Foxes deal at the end of the season and there has been some talk he will be allowed to depart during the summer transfer window. The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the former Norwich City star - but Newcastle have already been told their chances of seeing off competition from the North London clubs will be boosted if they can go on to claim a place in next season’s Champions League over the remaining five games of the season.
Maddison’s former Leicester team-mate Kasper Schmeichel insisted the attacking midfielder is made to mix it with Europe’s elite and believes he has the ability and personality to step up to the highlest level in club football.
“Everything that seems to be positive that Leicester do comes through Maddison,” he told Sky Sports ahead of Leicester’s home game against fellow strugglers Everton on Monday night.
“He’s a young guy who takes responsibility, he wants the ball and he’s got great vision. He can nick a goal as well, there’s a couple of players in there that can nick a goal. He can go wherever he wants really. I would love him to stay at Leicester but if he is to move on at some point it’s about choosing the right place.
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Hide Ad“I think he has the ability to play at the highest level because the personality he is, the type of nights like tonight, when he knows everyone is watching, that’s when he comes alive and when you’re playing in the top teams, playing in the Champions League, when everyone’s watching, these are the games when he makes a difference.”
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