Former Premier League boss tips Tottenham to beat Newcastle to transfer coup: ‘Levy will be rubbing his hands’

Daniel Levy, Tottenham, August 2022

Daniel Levy watching from the stands, Tottenham, August 2022

Former Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce is tipping Tottenham to beat Premier League rivals to the signing of a top playmaker this summer, despite the fact they have no European football next season.

Spurs are expected to have a large turnaround of players this summer as new boss Ange Postecoglou aims to build a team suited to the attacking, high-energy style of football he likes to play.

The Australian is fresh off a treble in Scotland with Celtic, who were lauded for their free-flowing football under Postecoglou.

One position that did not fit into Antonio Conte’s preferred 3-4-3 system was a No.10, but it appears that Tottenham’s new man in charge will be making room for an attacking midfielder to link up the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, assuming the former stays put.

And the one name that keeps coming up in that regard is recently relegated Leicester man James Maddison.

The England playmaker will be sold by the Foxes this summer and their drop to the Championship, it just remains to be seen who wins the battle for his signature.

Newcastle remain the favourites to strike a deal, given that they have Champions League coming – but there remains hope for Spurs following reports that Maddison could prefer to live in London instead.

Maddison a perfect Levy signing

And Allardyce views the 26-year-old as the perfect signing for Tottenham chief Daniel Levy in many ways, especially given that his price tag will drop to between £40-50million.

Asked where he thinks the player will end up this summer, Allardyce told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, after an extended pause for thought: “Tottenham. It’s a lovely Daniel deal, that one, isn’t it?

“He’ll be rubbing his hands, won’t he? Keep him fit, he improves Tottenham’s team.”

Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood disagreed with Allardyce though, backing Maddison to move north rather than south. “Newcastle,” he said when pressed by presenter Natalie Pike. “I’d love to see it (a move to Tottenham). He’s a very good player.”

READ MORE: Tottenham plotting to beat numerous Premier League rivals to signing of West Brom sensation