Newcastle United's interest in James Maddison persists; however, securing the deal for the English midfielder may prove to be more challenging if they successfully finalize the signing of AC Milan's Sandro Tonali. The Magpies are actively pursuing a potential £55m agreement for Tonali and will subsequently evaluate the Maddison situation upon the completion of the transfer.
We have been informed that Leicester City is asking for a price exceeding £50m for Maddison. As a result, Newcastle is currently unable to afford both Maddison and Tonali without jeopardizing their compliance with financial fair play regulations.
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James Maddison ranks among the best in the Premier League
Manager Eddie Howe has prioritized the acquisition of a defensive midfielder like Tonali over a more attacking player like Maddison. Additionally, Newcastle's hierarchy believes they already have suitable alternatives in players like Bruno Guimaraes, who possess a similar profile to Maddison.
However, Newcastle has not completely dismissed the idea of reaching an agreement with Leicester later in the transfer window. This could be possible if the club, which was recently relegated, is willing to significantly lower their asking price. Alternatively, if Howe decides to generate funds by selling another player, he may consider pursuing the deal. It is worth noting that Maddison's current Leicester contract is set to expire in one year.
Tottenham currently holds the advantage in the potential Maddison transfer, but they still have a significant gap to reach Leicester's valuation. Meanwhile, Manchester United, who have shown interest for a while, are now focusing on securing a deal for Mason Mount instead.