Leicester have rejected Newcastle’s £40m opening bid for playmaker James Maddison.
The Foxes, who aren’t shy on offloading their star players at maximum value, are holding out for closer to £60m and would prefer to keep the 25-year-old.
Maddison has two years left on his contract at the King Power Stadium, having signed an extension in 2020. He joined Leicester from Norwich City in a £20m deal four years ago.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is yet to make any significant signings in this summer’s transfer window. The club needs to raise funds through sales in order to reinvest in new recruits.
More on Newcastle United FC
Newcastle open to Werner loan move, Everton in talks to re-sign Gueye, Hull's ambitious plans28 July, 2022
Why the Saudis are being so careful at Newcastle while chucking silly money at LIV Golf28 July, 2022
Newcastle and Everton firm up interest in Broja after West Ham turn attention to Scamacca24 July, 2022
Maddison has been one of Leicester’s most influential figures during Rodgers’ reign. He made 53 appearances last season, and helped the club reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
It is not known if Maddison would favour a move to Newcastle but the big-spending Magpies are expected to muscle into contention for European places this season – perhaps at the expense of Leicester.
Sven Botman, Matt Targett and goalkeeper Nick Pope have already joined the Toon this summer. New boss Eddie Howe made a swathe of signings in January, spending around £60m on Kieran Tripper, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn.
Howe is tasked with hauling the team up the league this season. Poaching Wood from Burnley midway through last term effectively condemned the Clarets to relegation, while Howe was able to drag the Toon away from the bottom three.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s billions but constrained in some ways by Financial Fair Play, Howe hasn’t yet been able to go gung-ho with his chequebook. Newcastle missed out on Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, while another target Hugo Ekitike left Reims for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
i understands the Magpies are eyeing a swoop for Chelsea’s Timo Werner, who has failed to justify his £45m price tag at Stamford Bridge since moving to the Premier League from RB Leipzig two summers ago.
Chelsea are undecided on whether to send Werner out on loan, or cut their losses with a permanent deal. Juventus are also interested, while the Toon are open to loan moves in the final month of the transfer window.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/3dKy9EM
Post a Comment