Newcastle United target releases damning statement ahead of expected summer transfer

Newcastle United transfer target James Maddison has broken his silence on Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League as speculation over his future continues to dominate the headlines.

NewcastleWorld understands Maddison was leaning towards a move to Arsenal but has remained open to a move to Tyneside after United’s successful push for a Champions League place would hand him an opportunity to compete in European football’s elite club competition for the first time in his career. Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be keen on the 26-year-old but the uncertainty over their managerial situation and their failure to secure European football could harm their chances of winning the race for his signature.

Maddison’s previous involvement in European competition came when the Foxes competed in the Europa League and Europa Conference League in two of the last three seasons, reaching the semi-final of the latter in 2022 before a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Roma ended any hopes of landing silverware.

But the high points of the early years of Maddison’s time at the King Power Stadium are now a distant memory after the Foxes slid out of the Premier League following a dramatic final day of the season. Despite claiming a 2-1 home win against West Ham United, Everton’s narrow 1-0 victory against Bournemouth ensured Leicester’s nine-season stay in the top tier came to an end.

Maddison gave little away in the immediate aftermath of the relegation but finally broke his silence on a season he described as ‘a failure’ in an emotional post released on his social media accounts on Friday afternoon.

The twice-capped England star wrote: “Absolutely devastated to be relegated from the Premier League. I’ve took a bit of time to reflect on the outcome of the season and to be honest it doesn’t make it any easier at all. This will hurt for a very long time and probably stick with us all forever.

“But that’s life and it’s about how you bounce back from setbacks and failure and unfortunately that’s exactly what this season was, a failure. We should never have been in the position we were with the players we have. But we take responsibility for that and the negativity that comes with it and continue to stick together.”

Maddison’s statement comes just days after another Newcastle-linked Foxes star gave an update on his own future at the King Power Stadium. Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans has been linked with the Magpies on several occasions over the last year as he approached the final stages of his current contract - and the 26-year-old has now revealed he will seek pastures new when his deal expires later this month.

In a statement released earlier this week, he said: “Dear Leicester City fans, after 4.5 special years and with a lot of gratitude I’m bidding farewell to this incredible club. From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.

“Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat. We’ve shared many special moments together. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support. Thank you to Khun Top, the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home. This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell.”