Newcastle United planning January transfer as rival ‘braces themselves’

Newcastle United are believed to be preparing a new bid for Leicester City starlet James Maddison. The England international was on the radar of Eddie Howe’s side in the summer transfer window.

The Sunday Mirror (23/10, p78) are reporting that the Toon Army remain keen on him and that the Foxes are bracing themselves for an approach in January. His contract at the King Power Stadium expires in 18 months.

Newcastle United remain keen

Newcastle have made an impressive start to this Premier League season and are currently 4th in the league table. They may see Maddison as someone to further bolster their creative options at the top end of the pitch and help them ahead of the second-half of the campaign in their quest for Europe.

The North East outfit have been shrewd with their recruitment despite their big-money takeover last year. Maddison would be an ideal investment as he is still only 25, proven in the Premier League and has the potential to get even better over the next few years.

Leicester swooped to land him back in 2018 and he has since become one of their most prized assets over the past four-and-a-half seasons. He has made 182 appearances in all competitions and has chipped in with 51 goals to date.

Prior to his move to the Foxes, he rose up through the youth ranks at Coventry City and broke into their first-team as a youngster before switching to Norwich City. He then spent two years at Carrow Road, part of which he spent up in Scotland on loan at Aberdeen.