---
title: "Newcastle: Magpies ‘ones to watch’ for James Maddison"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/james-maddison-leicester-latest-transfer-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2023-02-18T15:43:26Z"
modified: "2023-02-18T15:43:26Z"
---

# Newcastle: Magpies ‘ones to watch’ for James Maddison

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) are the ‘ones to watch’ in the race for [James Maddison](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/james-maddison/) this summer, according to journalist [Graeme Bailey](https://twitter.com/GraemeBailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor).**

### The Lowdown: The Story So Far

The Leicester City playmaker has now entered the final [18 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leicester-city/vertragsende/verein/1003/vertragsendeJahr/2024) of his deal at the King Power, and after [rejecting](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-leicester-losing-james-maddison-fight-arsenal-chances-rated-source-names-likely-next-club) improved terms, looks set to be on the move at the end of the season.

The Magpies had [two](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/02/newcastle-fail-bid-leicester-james-maddison-transfer-window) offers for the England international turned down last summer but [reports](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-transfers-state-play-maddison-26243807) have claimed that [Eddie Howe](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/eddie-howe/) remains an admirer and could therefore make another approach.

Brendan Rodgers recently [admitted](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64682591) during a press conference that he won’t be ‘begging’ the 26-year-old to stay, with the hierarchy at St. James’ Park lurking and ready to pounce.

### The Latest: Bailey’s comments

Speaking to [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-leicester-losing-james-maddison-fight-arsenal-chances-rated-source-names-likely-next-club), Bailey revealed that Newcastle appear to be the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) club currently in pole position for Maddison given their long-standing interest. He said:

“Newcastle are very much the ones to watch. They really like him – they did last summer too. Eddie Howe’s backroom staff, including the transfer team, have done their checks on \[him\] and they badly want him.

“Manchester City and Tottenham are hovering. But if Newcastle can finish top four, they are the firm favourites to land him.”

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/)

### The Verdict: Get it done…

Maddison has previously been [praised](https://twitter.com/buntingfootball/status/1577042668848545792?s=46&t=tB9iug9_ggDslBzlTwdDkw) for a ‘monster’ performance by journalist [Josh Bunting](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball) so PIF need to act fast should they want to bring him to Newcastle ahead of their fellow competitors.

Also called Leicester’s ‘[star man](https://twitter.com/TomCollomosse/status/1624769009651486722)‘ by members of the media, The Foxes talisman currently ranks in the [99th](https://fbref.com/en/players/ee38d9c5/James-Maddison) percentile for an outstanding six statistics, including the most shots and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes.

The Coventry-born talent also has 14 goal contributions in 16 league outings this term and would offer versatility with the ability to operate in five different positions ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/leistungsdaten/spieler/294057)).

Finally, Maddison [shares](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/profil/spieler/294057) the same agent as Kieran Trippier [and](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/berateruebersicht/verein/762) Matty Longstaff so this could give the northeast outfit the advantage in the race for his signature this summer.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418867″\]