---
title: "Newcastle: Noel Whelan backs the Magpies to seal cut-price deal for James Maddison"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-james-maddison-transfer-news-latest-rumours-howe-2/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-09-28T08:15:58Z"
modified: "2022-09-28T08:15:58Z"
---

# Newcastle: Noel Whelan backs the Magpies to seal cut-price deal for James Maddison

**Former [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) striker Noel Whelan has backed [Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) to agree a deal to sign Leicester City midfielder James Maddison in January.**

### **The Lowdown: Previous bids**

The Magpies sought to bring the 25-year-old to St James’ Park this summer as they attempted to add a creative playmaker to Eddie Howe’s squad.

Whilst the first [£40m bid was swiftly rejected](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/12663672/james-maddison-newcastle-make-second-transfer-bid-in-region-of-50m-for-leicester-midfielder) by Leicester, the Tyneside outfit thought they would have better luck with their £50m offer. However, Brendan Rodgers’ side also [rejected this proposal](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/12663672/james-maddison-newcastle-make-second-transfer-bid-in-region-of-50m-for-leicester-midfielder), holding firm on their [£60m valuation](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/12663672/james-maddison-newcastle-make-second-transfer-bid-in-region-of-50m-for-leicester-midfielder) of the player.

Having signed his latest [contract extension](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/profil/spieler/294057) with the Foxes in 2020, Maddison has just 21 months remaining on his deal at the King Power Stadium.

### **The Latest: Whelan’s claim**

Whelan, who used to work as a pundit for [BBC Radio Leeds](https://icdb.tv/stats/4247/Noel-Whelan), thinks that Leicester are more likely to cash in on Maddison in January, given their dreadful start to the season and the playmaker’s application amid the transfer speculation.

Speaking with [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/newcastle-united-could-now-seal-cut-price-james-maddison-deal-after-brilliant-source-reveal-pundit/), the 47-year-old claimed: “I can definitely see it happening now with the start Leicester have had.

“He’s been very mature about it. He’s not kicked up a fuss, and I think Brendan Rodgers will appreciate that. He’s been putting in the performances and the effort – and you can see what a standout he is even if Leicester aren’t winning games.

“I can’t see them climbing too far up the league between now and January. With his contract running down, I think Leicester have got to capitalise on that. They need the money if they’re going to go out and buy players.

“He’d be a brilliant fit at Newcastle, I don’t think they have a player quite like him at the moment. He’s probably the missing piece of the puzzle which would give them the complete midfield.”

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

### **The Verdict: Brilliant prospective signing**

When looking at Maddison’s underlying statistics, it is easy to see why Howe is so keen on bringing him to St James’ Park.

As per [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/ee38d9c5/James-Maddison), compared with positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the attacking midfielder ranks in the 94th percentile for non-penalty goals, the 90th percentile for shots taken and the 85th percentile for assists, marking him out as someone who can be highly effective in the final third.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410504″\]

Having been hailed as a [‘superb’](https://twitter.com/arlowhite/status/1560995132958298112) playmaker by broadcaster Arlo White, the 25-year-old would certainly add attacking flair to the Magpies’ midfield, based on the figures above.

Therefore, this would be a brilliant mid-season signing by Newcastle, and it would be a case of good things coming to those who wait.