CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has dropped a Newcastle United transfer update on reported winter target James Maddison.

The Lowdown: Newcastle 'confident' over Maddison

The St James' Park club are reportedly 'confident' that they can secure a deal for the 25-year-old in the January transfer window, after missing out on him during the summer.

The attacking midfielder has rejected another contract offer from Leicester City, so he appears to be seeking a move elsewhere.

The Latest: Maddison snub?

However, speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs has said that Maddison does not think that a move to Newcastle in January for him is the best option, as the Foxes star wants to play Champions League football.

The reporter said of the 25-year-old in relation to the Magpies: “From talking to sources close to him, I’m not sure that he thinks that’s the best move in January.

“It becomes quite important for Newcastle to show that they’re on course, suddenly, for European football. Otherwise, I think Maddison won’t go to Newcastle in January. I think he will wait and say, ‘let’s see where you are at Newcastle in the summer’ because he’s that confident that his form is deserving of European football and, specifically, Champions League football.

“That puts Newcastle in quite a tough position with Maddison, much like Mudryk. They’re not going to have that lure in January and, at the moment, they’re in mid-table mediocrity.”

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The Verdict: Understandable

As much as it will pain Newcastle supporters, it is understandable that Maddison seemingly does not want to move to Tyneside at this moment in time.

Hailed as 'world-class' by former Toon and Leicester defender Danny Simpson, the 25-year-old has scored three goals and supplied one assist in the current Premier League campaign in a struggling Foxes team, and he currently ranks as their best-performing player in the top flight (WhoScored).

Eddie Howe's side will be able to catch another glimpse of what Maddison can offer when Leicester play Nottingham Forest at the King Power Stadium tonight, but it will likely take a lot of persuading to get the playmaker on board with a move to Newcastle unless they show discernible progress quickly.