James Maddison: Newcastle offer second transfer price in the region of £50m for Leicester midfielder | News about Transfer Center
Newcastle have made a second bid in the region of £50m for Leicester midfielder James Maddison.
The Magpies are awaiting feedback on their suggestion for improvement for the 25-year-old, after they £40m bid opening was rejected over the weekend.
Leicester are said to value Maddison, who joined the Foxes for £24m from Norwich in June 2018, at close to £60m.
If Newcastle’s offer is accepted, Maddison would become the club’s record signing – eclipsing the £40m they paid Hoffenheim for Joelinton in July 2019.
Maddison scored 18 goals and assisted 12 times in 53 appearances in all competitions for Leicester last season.
Eddie Howe still wants to strengthen his squad despite some setbacks in the transfer market this summer, having been turned down in trying to sign Everton midfielder Anthony Gordonwhile French striker Hugo Ekitike opted to move to Paris Saint-Germain instead of Newcastle.
The northeastern club have made three summer signings so far with the arrivals of Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett, Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and Lille defender Sven Botman.
Rodgers: There’s No Way I Want To Sell Maddison
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers wants to keep Maddison and joked after Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win over Sevilla that £40m would buy “three-quarters of his left foot”.
Leicester, the only top-flight side yet to sign a contract this summer, still need to sell to bring in reinforcements but Rodgers insists they will not be taken advantage of against Maddison or the others.
“Obviously, within the club, the financial situation is not ideal if you want to do business. That doesn’t mean we will be exploited and we don’t want to lose our best players,” he said. speak .
“You don’t want to lose your best players and then not be able to bring them in. That doesn’t make sense.
“With James, he’s looking the best of his time here. He’s a pleasure to work with. I loved him as a young man, watching him. I’ve grown up since I was a 25 year old father.
“He’s really important to us. There’s no way I want to sell him.”
Leicester standing still is a bad omen?
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy said on The Transfer Show:
“The problem for Leicester is that they’re the only Premier League club that hasn’t bolstered their senior squad so far, and he’s not the only experienced player potentially leaving.
“When you look at that squad and think about the injuries they’ve had, you think it’s a team that needs a refresh.
“If there are departures of fundamental players – Kasper Schmeichel, James Maddison, maybe Wesley Fofana – without strengthening the squad and punishing these departures, I am actually a bit worried about Brendan Rodgers.
“Leicester’s expectation was that they would push hard and around the Champions League places but they have stood still, which is not a good indication of how they will perform this season.
“There’s been a lot of talk that they need to let players go before they can invest, and eventually they’ll know their goals. They’re excellent salespeople and they’ve recruited very well in the field. past.”
Rodgers warns Chelsea to get rid of Fofana
Rodgers also issued a warning to Wesley Fofana with Chelsea are making a deal to recruit the French defender.
Leicester are said to be demanding up to £85m for Fofana, as he has five years left on his contract and Rodgers is adamant that the 21-year-old is not going anywhere.
He said: “No, he’s not for sale. When we look at him, he’s had 17 league starts. People were looking at him at the time but he came here, really thrive and grow, not only as a player but also as a young man.
“He really respects the club, I have no doubt that in the future he will be on that (top) stage but he is very comfortable, he feels good here.
“He has a great relationship with his teammates which is very important and there is no doubt that he will complete that period well. But now that he is here, he is developing. and like I said he’s not for sale.
“He might have a chance to make it to the France team for the World Cup and it’s about competing, so I’m pretty calm about that. I’ve talked to him for a long time.
“He can’t stop speculating but he’s very focused on his work here and very focused on his development.”
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