James Maddison's transfer to Tottenham for a staggering £40m draws near following the completion of his medical examination in north London. Despite Newcastle's initial interest in securing his signature, the club from the north east has shifted their attention to AC Milan's Sandro Tonali as Maddison's Leicester contract nears expiration, with only one year remaining.
Strengthening Tottenham's midfield has been a primary focus prior to Ange Postecoglou's inaugural season as manager. In addition to securing a £17.2m transfer for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Spurs have also finalized the permanent acquisition of Dejan Kulusevski on loan from Juventus.
Analysis: Maddison among the elite
Introducing Nick Wright:Maddison's standing remains unblemished despite Leicester's demotion. Amid a challenging campaign for the team, he notably tallied 10 goals and contributed nine assists solely in Premier League matches.
It was a further extension of his exceptional portfolio at the King Power Stadium. Throughout a span of five seasons, he has firmly cemented his status as one of the most formidable attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
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Maddison ranks among the best in the Premier League
In terms of statistics, his status among the elite can be clearly seen. Since joining Leicester from Norwich in 2018, he has been surpassed in chances created in the Premier League only by Kevin De Bruyne and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Furthermore, he falls behind only Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, and Heung Min-Son when it comes to shots on goal. Additionally, Maddison ranks among the top eight players for assists and big chances created. With 43 goals during this period, he is among the top 18 scorers.
The numbers add up to show why he was in such high demand.
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