Former Premier League chairman makes James Maddison prediction after Daniel Levy talks amid Newcastle United interest

Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes Tottenham Hotspur will win the race to sign James Maddison, despite Daniel Levy telling him the North London club weren’t in the running for the midfielder’s signature.

Newcastle United hold a long-term interest in Maddison but NewcastleWorld understands talks haven’t progressed, as of yet, for two reasons.

Firstly, the Magpies are unwilling to meet Leicester City’s initial £60million asking price for a player entering the final year of his contract. And secondly, there are issues with Maddison’s personal demands, which are believed to exceed United’s highest earner.

Although Newcastle are aware their wage structure will have to change in the coming years, there is a strong desire to ensure that growth is a gradual process.

With Leicester currently unwilling to budge on their asking price, there is a chance the 26-year-old could still be a Foxes player when they kick off their Championship campaign against Coventry City on the first Sunday of August.

A deal to allow him to return to the Premier League is still expected to be concluded by the time the summer transfer window closes, but Newcastle’s lack of progress could allow Tottenham Hotspur to strike.

And North London is where Jordan thinks the England international will end up.

“I think he is a decent player, a good player. I don’t think he is the player people quite think he is,” he told talkSPORT. “But I have sat across from Danny [Murphy] and Graeme Souness, who have both been top midfielders, and they think he is ‘top-drawer’.

“With that in mind, I don’t push back against the notion that [Maddison] is a top-drawer player. He has an embarrassment of riches, if both [Tottenham and Newcastle] are in for him, and according to Daniel Levy they weren’t in for James Maddison.”

When asked if Levy had said that to him, Jordan nodded and replied: “Yes, certainly on the level that was reported in the media, anyway.

“If [Spurs and Newcastle do want Maddison], then you’ve got two managers [Postecoglou and Howe] that I think are good managers to play for.

“One has got a toxic fanbase and needs a rebuild, while the other is in really good nick. I think either one of those clubs is a really good fit for James, and I think Tottenham is where he lands.”

As reported by NewcastleWorld in recent days, United have also held further talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Hungary international Dominik Szoboszlai.