---
title: "Newcastle: Improved bid made for James Maddison"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-james-maddison-transfer-news-latest-rumours-howe-improved-bid/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-08-02T06:45:20Z"
modified: "2022-08-02T09:01:19Z"
---

# Newcastle: Improved bid made for James Maddison

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) have made an improved bid for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison, according to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.**

### **The Lowdown: Newcastle’s initial bid**

On Saturday, [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12661766/james-maddison-leicester-reject-40m-bid-from-newcastle-for-midfielder) reported that the Foxes had rejected a £40m bid from the Magpies for the 25-year-old playmaker.

As per the report, Eddie Howe’s side were considering whether to make an improved bid for the [one-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/nationalmannschaft/spieler/294057/verein_id/3299) England international.

It is believed that Leicester value Maddison closer to the [£60m mark](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12661766/james-maddison-leicester-reject-40m-bid-from-newcastle-for-midfielder).

### **The Latest: Improved bid made**

Edwards has shared a fresh update on Newcastle’s pursuit of the player, revealing that the Magpies have proceeded in making an improved bid to Leicester.

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/LukeEdwardsTele/status/1554105622882390017) on Monday afternoon, the reliable journalist claimed: “#nufc have made a second improved bid for Leicester City’s James Maddison today. Fee is in excess of £45m but payments are staggered. As I’ve said all along, they have been led to believe Maddison wants the move. We shall see. He might also want a new contract!!”

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### **The Verdict: Go for it**

When analysing Maddison’s underlying statistics, it is clear to see why Howe is so keen on bringing the 25-year-old to St James’ Park this summer.

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 midfielder ranks in the 90th percentile for non-penalty goals, the 88th percentile for assists and the 84th percentile for total shots.

Meanwhile, his haul of [18 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/294057) in all competitions in 2021/22 was [more than double](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/leistungsdaten/verein/762/plus/0?reldata=%262021) Newcastle’s leading scorer for the campaign and equal to the Toon’s [top three scorers combined](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/leistungsdaten/verein/762/plus/0?reldata=%262021), so he could certainly make them a more lethal outfit.

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With the Magpies boss keen on adding a versatile attacker to his ranks, Maddison’s arrival on Tyneside would provide Howe with a playmaker who could dictate the play in the middle of the park, whilst being able to excel in a goalscoring position further up the pitch.

Therefore, having been hailed by The Times’ chief football writer Henry Winter as a [‘special talent’](https://twitter.com/henrywinter/status/1381918798467465216) , this could be a great signing for Newcastle to make, if they can get closer to Leicester’s valuation of the player.