Tottenham leading Man City, Newcastle in race for PL star who wants to play ‘at the highest level’

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The England international has been in brilliant form this season with Maddison contributing nine goals and five assists in 17 Premier League appearances.

Maddison even earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the World Cup in Qatar but failed to make an appearance.

His stock has risen in recent campaigns and now Tottenham, Manchester City and Newcastle United are now reportedly interested in his services.

But Football Insider claims that Spurs ‘have been handed a boost in the race to sign’ Maddison with Tottenham now in ‘pole position’ to land the former Norwich City man.

Leicester are attempting to tie Maddison down to a new contract but they ‘will not hesitate to cash in if no progress can be made’.

With Spurs leapfrogging rivals Newcastle into fourth position in the Premier League over the weekend, Antonio Conte’s side could have another advantage over the Geordies with Maddison looking to play ‘at the highest level possible’.

And Football Insider add that ‘it is believed that Tottenham are able to compete with the free-spending pair [Newcastle and Man City] in terms of big-money transfer fees and potential wage demands’.

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers wants Maddison to remain at the King Power Stadium but also admits that they “won’t be begging for a player to stay”.

Rodgers told a press conference last week, he said: “It’s a conversation we’ve been having with James’ representatives for a while so there’s no change in that, not that I’m aware of.

“For me, it’s about making sure that, despite whatever the situation is, that James is playing at the best level he can be.

“Thankfully as a player he’s got experience now, he’s very focused on purely doing his best for us and staying available and fit.

“He’s a top player in the league and he’s shown that in his time here, gradually from when he’s come in to the position he’s in now, you can see that development take place.

“I think that’s the type of club we are – we’ll develop players, we’ll improve players, we can give them great conditions to work in – but I won’t be begging for a player to stay.

“This is a great club, there’s great support here on the pitch, off the pitch and if you’ve been here a while you understand what the club is all about and where it wants to go.

“But a player’s career is short, they always have to think of the future, but as long as that concentration and focus is here whilst they are here then that’s all I ever ask.

“Of course I’ll speak openly with players and regularly with them, so I understand what they’re thinking and then we just progress from there.”

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