Newcastle United transfer target James Maddison will make a decision on his future at ‘the end of the season’, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: £60m needed

The Premier League maestro is currently in Qatar, having been named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad to represent England at the World Cup, although that hasn’t put a halt to speculation surrounding his future at the King Power Stadium.

The Magpies reportedly still have the Leicester playmaker at the top of their wish list despite seeing a £50m bid rejected over the summer, with the Foxes holding out for closer to £60m.

The Latest: Jacobs’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, however, Jacobs claimed that Newcastle will find it difficult to secure Maddison in January unless they are to put a seriously big offer on the table.

He said: “Sources told me that Maddison would rather wait until the end of the season and Leicester are not ruling out a new deal either.

“But from Maddison’s point of view, the reason why he would rather wait is because he wants to know what he’s getting and right now if London’s the preference, and Tottenham and or, more loosely, Chelsea are looking at him, neither of those two clubs can categorically guarantee that they’re heading towards Champions League football for sure next season and Newcastle are in a better form position, but again, who knows whether they’re going to get over the line and get Champions League football.

“So, if James Maddison decides in January, then he is gambling to some extent on who he’s joining in qualifying for the Champions League.

“So, I do sense that unless a massive offer is made, Newcastle will struggle to get James Maddison in January.”

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/" title="Newcastle news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

The Verdict: Splash the cash

PIF will know that Maddison’s valuation is only likely to increase should he play any part for England during the rest of the World Cup, but they must splash the cash if they want to land their target in the New Year.

The Coventry-born talent has already posted 11 goal contributions in 13 league appearances this season and is a versatile player with the ability to operate in four different positions (Transfermarkt).

Newcastle find themselves in the top four after a strong start to the campaign, but Maddison’s potential arrival could be the difference as to whether they stay there come the end of the 2022/23 season and duly secure Champions League football.