Newcastle United will need Champions League football to lure James Maddison to Tyneside after a report on Financial Fair Play limitations emerged, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.
The Lowdown: Magic Maddison
A haul of 12 goals and eight assists from 35 Premier League appearances for Leicester last season somehow went unnoticed for the most part by Gareth Southgate, but a follow-up return of seven goals and four assists from 13 league games this term proved too good to overlook, with Maddison rightly included in England’s World Cup squad.
His failure to make an appearance for England in Qatar now seems cruel, though it will surely fire the Leicester City man up an extra notch or two going into the resumption of the Premier League.
And with the focus now back on his domestic future, reports have claimed the Foxes have slapped an enormous £60m price tag on their star man amidst interest from the Magpies.
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The Latest: McAvennie reacts
Following the emergence of that whopping Leicester demand, The Daily Mail revealed that FFP will limit Newcastle's spending in January, making a move for Maddison 'extremely unlikely'.
And whilst the England international is out of contract in the summer of 2024, former West Ham striker McAvennie believe the Magpies have no chance without proper European aspirations.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He was sought after by a lot of clubs, he is that good a player.
“He is in the England squad, he has been having a great season. Wherever he goes it will be a top club.
“He would do a job at Newcastle but I do not think it is the right time to go there. He will be looking to win Champions Leagues, I do not think that is there at Newcastle and will not be there for the next few years.
“I think Maddison will be at one of the top clubs, I think he is that good. If Newcastle were challenging for the Champions League spots then maybe. But they are not there as yet. “
The Verdict: Why not?
While Maddison is certainly capable of plying his trade for a top European outfit, he still seems to still fly under the radar.
We saw it in the ongoing World Cup tournament, in which the 26-year-old failed to play a single minute - a sign of where the Leicester talisman sits in the eyes of the English footballing hierarchy.
A move to an awaking giant in Newcastle United, with the home comforts of a coach similar in tactical style to Brendan Rodgers in Howe, may just appeal to the star that bit more - especially if the side are to remain on track in securing Champions League qualification.