Leicester star’s transfer thoughts align with Newcastle United as Magpies linked with £105m Portugal star

Newcastle United continue their charge for the Champions League and prepare summer transfer swoops to help them leave a mark in Europe.
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Newcastle United got their Champions League push back on track with a win against Wolves at St James' Park last weekend and will be hoping for another three points when visiting Nottingham Forest on Friday night.

The Magpies currently sit in fifth in the league, four points behind Spurs in fourth but with two extra games in hand.

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Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier has made his intentions for Champions League football clear and fans will be excited at the potential of European nights under the lights of the cathedral on the hill.

Landing a spot in the competition could also draw some more big-name players to the North East. Here are the latest transfer rumours swirling around Newcastle United.

James Maddison to be made Newcastle summer transfer priority

James Maddison is "taking a long-term view" about his footballing future as he stalls in putting pen to paper on a new Leicester City contract, which has pricked the ears of Newcastle United.

The i reports that Newcastle will make Maddison a top transfer target this summer with the star wanting to be a regular in the England side and to play Champions League. football.

James Maddison wants Champions League football next year (Image: Getty Images) James Maddison wants Champions League football next year (Image: Getty Images)
James Maddison wants Champions League football next year (Image: Getty Images)
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Those ambitions align with those of Eddie Howe with a move to the North East looking favourable for the 26-year-old. The outlet adds that 'momentum might be tipping back' in the favour of Newcastle.

Maddison will have just a year left on his contract come the summer and Leicester City are unlikely to be in a position to let him leave for free 12 months later, forcing them to listen to bids this summer.

It's a move that has the approval of Paul Merson, who compared the midfielder to Neymar and Eden Hazard in his SportsKeeda column. Merson said: “Maddison is a top-quality player who I’m a huge fan of – I think he’d be a fantastic signing for Newcastle. He’d be a much better signing for them than the likes of Neymar and Hazard if you think about their long-term project over four or five seasons.”

Magpies eye £105 million break clause to fix striker woes

Newcastle United's defensive resilience has been let down by firepower at the other end of the pitch this calendar year as Eddie Howe's side have become draw specialists.

Newcastle United have been linked with Goncalo Ramos (Image: Getty Images) Newcastle United have been linked with Goncalo Ramos (Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United have been linked with Goncalo Ramos (Image: Getty Images)
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Callum Wilson has struggled for form while Alexander Isak has struggled for game time due to injury niggles. According to O Jogo, Eddie Howe may be looking to splash big cash on fixing that issue by triggering the release clause of Benfica star Goncalo Ramos.

Ramos has 23 goals to his name in all competitions this year and netted a hat-trick for Portugal at the World Cup last year.

The striker has a long-term deal in place with Benfica that will take him through until 2026 and his pedigree means the club would be unlikely to accept any more than his hefty release clause in a potential deal.