Tottenham are ‘leading the chase’ for £50 million rated transfer target
James Maddison has long been admired by several Premier League clubs and it now seems Tottenham are the front runners for his signature.
Spurs have also found out the potential price tag for the Leicester City midfielder ahead of an anticipated summer move.
The Telegraph have reported that while Newcastle are also interested in a move for Maddison, it is Spurs who are leading the chase.
It is also claimed that Leicester have put a £50 million price tag on their player, a hefty fee considering the 27-year-old’s contract expires in 2024.
Newcastle made two bids for England international Maddison last summer, but both were rejected by the Foxes.
Spurs are desperate for a creative spark in midfield, having failed to properly replace former playmaker Christian Eriksen when he departed for Inter Milan three years ago.
Maddison would be seen as a valid solution for the creativity problems at Spurs, with nine goals and six assists to his name so far this campaign.
It is likely Maddison will want to leave his current club in the summer, despite enjoying a successful spell at the King Power Stadium as Leicester currently find themselves in the relegation zone.
Since joining from Norwich for around £20 million in July 2018, Maddison has scored 54 goal and recorded 38 assists in 194 appearances for the Foxes, winning the FA Cup in 2021 .
Now though, as Leicester City struggle for form at the foot of the Premier League, Maddison is likely to seek a new challenge and if Leicester are relegated to the Championship the price tag would be slashed.
The club sacked manager Brendan Rodgers last week, and have lost six of their past seven Premier League matches, leaving them 19th in the league table.
Newcastle may be a more attractive opportunity for potential signings come the end of the year, the club are well on course for a finish in the Champions League spots, and reached the League Cup Final in February, losing 2-0 to Manchester United.
Tottenham meanwhile have begun to struggle for form, drawing there past two matches and could drop down to fifth in the table, out of the Champions League places, if Manchester United avoid defeat against Brentford tonight.
They are also currently without a head coach after sacking Antonio Conte in March and are yet to hire a replacement.
A lot could change between now and the summer, when Maddison will need to make a decision on his future, but it is becoming increasing clear he won’t be plying his trade for Leicester at the start of next season.
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