Newcastle transfers: Howe given fresh hope over Tottenham tussle as summer target’s price tag and ambitions emerge

A report claims James Maddison is open to joining either Tottenham or Newcastle this summer but there is serious work to be done on his transfer fee.

The 26-year-old is set to leave Leicester City during the off-season after the Foxes suffered relegation. Maddison enjoyed a decent season but was powerless to prevent the East Midlanders slipping into England’s second tier. The Coventry-born ace has spent the past five seasons at King Power Stadium, enjoying 203 outings in all competitions.

He has bagged 55 goals but the writing was on the wall once Leicester finished in the bottom three.

Thoughts turned to his next destination once the dust had settled on 2022-2023.

Newcastle are long-time admirers of the talented schemer. Earlier this month, former Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given insisted the Tynesiders were at the front of the queue for his signature.

But the arrival of Ange Postecoglou seems to have breathed new life into Spurs’ recruitment prospects.

Indeed, it was suggested earlier this week that the north Londoners had already tabled a joint £50m bid for Maddison and Harvey Barnes.

That will certainly be rejected by Leicester, who value Maddison himself at around the £60m mark.

It is thought that Newcastle will soon show their hand with a bid of their own.

However, according to CBS transfer expert Ben Jacobs, the north-east outfit are not going to push the boat out too far.

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“Newcastle will move for James Maddison. #NUFC plan is to be disciplined, though,” he tweeted.

“They feel circa £40m is market value because Maddison’s contract expires next summer.

“#LCFC hoping for a bidding war and want at least £55m and could well push for more if multiple suitors.”

Maddison keeping options open

There is no doubt that Maddison has the class to star in either of the aforementioned clubs.

He has won three England caps to date, with many pundits feeling he should have earned more.

It may be that he did not play for a fashionable club – and that is about to change.

Maddison is in an enviable position of having a couple of big-name suitors on his case.

And, according to Jacobs, the former Norwich City man would welcome a switch to either club.

“Several clubs looking now, although some put off by #LCFC valuation,” he added.

“As revealed last summer, Spurs also very keen. Maddison open to both moves.”

Newcastle seem the most stable of the two interested clubs. The Saudi-backed takeover has provided Eddie Howe with funds and he has used them wisely.

The men in black and white will play in the Champions League next term, something Spurs cannot offer Maddison.

The Lilywhites ended up eighth in the standings after a below-par campaign.

The arrival of a new boss has steadied the ship but there is still much work to be done at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Harry Kane’s future will doubtless be the main topic of conversation once his current stint with England is over.

The Three Lions skipper has been tipped to leave. Whether the arrival of Maddison would do anything to persuade him to stay is open to debate.

But first Spurs have to beat Newcastle to the punch.

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