Newcastle United journalist Andrew Musgrove says that the club's reported interest in James Maddison is understandable in light of his form for Leicester City.

The lowdown

The Athletic's George Caulkin stated last month that Newcastle will try to sign the 25-year-old in January 'if the right deal is there for them'. The Magpies made two bids during the summer transfer window, the second of which was worth £40m, but both were rejected.

Caulkin added that the Englishman has been 'talking about a new deal at Leicester', but it's 'difficult' to say whether he will extend given that the Foxes are in a 'complete state of flux'.

Maddison scored twice on Monday night as Brendan Rodgers' side beat Nottingham Forest 4-0 to move off the bottom of the Premier League at their opponents' expense.

The latest

Musgrove wrote on Twitter that the red-hot Maddison is justifying Newcastle's interest and that the midfielder could force his way into England's World Cup squad.

He tweeted: "James Maddison on fire. You can see why #NUFC want him. Will be asking questions of Gareth Southgate’s selection choices too."

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The verdict

It wasn't just Maddison's goals - one a deflected effort from the edge of the box and the other a free-kick - which made his performance on Monday night so good.

He also created two big chances, registered an assist for Patson Daka, completed 43 out of his 47 passes (91%), drew two fouls and made four tackles and interceptions. It was enough to earn a dazzling SofaScore rating of 9.4/10, by some distance the highest on the night.

Musgrove wasn't the only journalist to rave about him, with Josh Bunting calling it a 'monster of a performance' and Ben Jacobs billing it a 'masterclass'.

It continues a magnificent run of form, with Maddison's tally of 14 Premier League goal involvements since 11 May bettered only by Erling Haaland, and explains why PIF and Newcastle don't look set to give up on trying to lure him any time soon.