Journalist Pete O'Rourke says that Newcastle United are still 'monitoring' James Maddison ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Two bids rejected

The North East club reportedly had two separate bids rejected by Leicester City for Maddison in the summer, with the second worth a total of £50m.

The Foxes are thought to value him at closer to £60m, so it could be a deal worth revisiting in January, given that the clubs seem to only be £10m apart in their valuations of the player.

The Latest: Newcastle 'monitoring' situation

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, O'Rourke has claimed that Maddison will still be 'pretty high up there on Eddie Howe's wanted list', adding that the St. James' Park outfit will be 'monitoring' his situation at the King Power Stadium ahead of January:

"They had a couple of bids rejected for Maddison in the summer window. So, I still think he will be pretty high up there on Eddie Howe's wanted list. So yeah, they'll be monitoring his situation at Leicester."

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The Verdict: Get it done

Given that the Tynesiders only seem to be a few million pounds short of Leicester's negotiating range for Maddison, this is a deal that they should be looking to get done in January.

The 25-year-old did not make Gareth Southgate's latest England squad for the UEFA Nations League, and after their 1-0 loss away at Italy on Friday night, he must be wondering what else he has to do in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Despite the Foxes' woes this season, Maddison has bagged himself three goals and one assist in the Premier League, and ranks as their best performing player (WhoScored), so perhaps he needs a change in scenery, and the Magpies could offer him that in January.