Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of England international James Maddison from Leicester City.
The North Londoners are not exactly known for making quick moves in the summer transfer window, or for landing their top targets at all, for that matter. However, the club have certainly been busy in the last week or so.
Spurs have already completed a deal for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario earlier this week, while Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski has had his loan move from Juventus made permanent.
Leicester were said to have been holding out for a £60million fee for the 26-year-old but have instead agreed to let him move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for an initial £40million (The Telegraph).
Maddison underwent his medical at Hotspur Way earlier on Wednesday having returned from a holiday in Ibiza following his involvement in England’s UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying double header.
Tottenham confirm James Maddison deal
Maddison only had a year left to run on his contract at the King Power Stadium and Leicester reportedly decided to accept a lower amount in order not to hamper their preparations for their first season back in the Championship under new boss Enzo Maresca.
Newcastle United were also credited with heavy interest in the playmaker but Tottenham decided to step up their negotiations this week and struck a deal after intense negotiations over a two-day period.
The midfielder’s contract is reported to be worth around £170,000-a-week which makes him one of the highest earners in Ange Postecoglou’s side
Maddison and his Leicester teammates were relegated from the Premier League last season, during which he still managed to register 10 goals and nine assists from 30 league appearances (transfermarkt).
He joined Leicester in 2018. He previously enjoyed spells at Coventry City, Norwich City and Aberdeen.
Spurs Web Opinion:
Tottenham fans have been crying out for a creative influence ever since Christian Eriksen packed his bags for Inter Milan and some even shook their heads when the club did not push to bring him back on a free transfer last summer.
In Maddison, Spurs now have a player who can play across multiple positions, whether supporting the front three or even slotting in there himself. Set pieces have been a problem for Spurs in recent times with Harry Kane and co having been wasteful of free-kicks in dangerous areas, now they have a player who is capable of finding the back of the net from outside of the penalty area.
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