‘Obsession’ - Fabrizio Romano insight on what Newcastle United think about £48m man

Fabrizio Romano has offered fans an update on Newcastle United’s intentions regarding their pursuit of James Maddison. The Leicester City midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside since the summer.

Maddison has impressed at the King Power Stadium in recent seasons and has most recently bagged seven goals and four goal contributions in only 13 league matches this term - showing the midfielder is clearly unphased by the continued transfer talk around him. Newcastle reportedly had a £50 million bid rejected for Maddison last year and despite the club making no further movement in their pursuit this month, Romano has confirmed that he remains a priority.

The Magpies could look to take advantage of Maddison’s contract expiring next summer and could wait till the end of the season to lure the England international away from the Midlands, while Romano has revealed they have remained in contact with the player over a potential deal. Speaking on House Of Champions: A CBS Soccer Podcast, Romano said: “On Newcastle’s side, I’m told their big target – it’s not going to be an easy one in January but for the summer – is James Maddison.

“(He’s) A player they wanted really last summer, they are still tracking him, they are still keeping contacts. Maddison is always a kind of obsession for Newcastle.”

If Leicester are unable to get Maddison to sign a new contract with the club then they may be forced to cash in on him in the summer to avoid losing him on the cheap next season. The Foxes have spent much of the current campaign flirting with relegation and 26-year-old will surely see working under Eddie Howe as a much more appealing prospect as they battle for European football.

While Newcastle remain in the hunt for Maddison, the midfielder would have plenty of competition for his place if he was to sign for the club. Miguel Almiron has been on fire this term, scoring nine goals - including netting seven in as many games prior to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Maddison has failed to make an appearance for Leicester since November after struggling a knee injury that kept him out for part of England’s World Cup campaign.