Contrary to what has been reported by other outlets over recent days, Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett expects James Maddison to end up at Newcastle United as the Magpies are more likely to meet the midfielder’s wage demands than Tottenham are.
Multiple outlets over the last few days have talked up Tottenham’s chances of beating Newcastle to Maddison’s signature.
(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
This includes an update from The Northern Echo (Monday, 19 June), which claim the 26-year-old prefers the idea of living in London to the North East while the Lilywhites are also willing to offer him a much higher salary than Eddie Howe’s men are.
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail subsequently reported on Tuesday that the talk around the England camp is that Maddison prefers joining Ange Postecoglou’s men over other suitors.
Journalist predicts Newcastle move for Maddison
However, Dorsett has now claimed that he believes the Magpies are going to pay the fee and offer the sort of contract necessary to take the 26-year-old to St James’ Park.
The journalist told Sky Sports (Football Daily): “Leicester are likely to want in excess of £60 million for James Maddison.
“Don’t expect them to sell for any less than £50 million. I think it would be a much higher figure if he had longer left on his contract.
“He has one year left on his existing contract, which leaves Leicester in a bit of a tricky situation in regards to him because most agents and clubs you speak to will tell you that James Maddison is probably worth more than £50 million.
“But with a year left on his contract, it brings his value right down.
“We know that Spurs and Newcastle are interested, but there may be more when time passes – it’s pretty clear that Maddison will move if the money is right. Leicester pay big salaries.
“These players we are talking about, with Maddison at the tip of the iceberg, are on big money, so if they go somewhere else, then they are going to expect at least the same. Who can expect to pay that sort of money?
“I don’t think Spurs would want to pay the salary that James Maddison would want.
“It does come back to Newcastle, I have just got this sneaking suspicion that Newcastle will come in for him, be prepared to pay the money because he is somebody in a position that they haven’t got – if you have my gut feeling, it’s Newcastle.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I think Tottenham are reasonably confident that they would get the Maddison deal over the line as they do not seem to be in talks to sign any other attacking midfielder.
We will get some clarity before the end of this week on whether the player is more likely to end up at Newcastle or Spurs, with both teams seemingly wanting to get the deal over the line before the start of pre-season.
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