Newcastle United are eyeing a double January transfer swoop for Leicester City duo James Maddison and Youri Tielemans. 

The Magpies were linked with a move for Maddison during the previous summer transfer window and even had a bid for him rejected back in August.

Newcastle have also been mentioned with a move for Maddison's Leicester teammate Tielemans, who is set to see his contract at the King Power Stadium expire at the end of the season.

Now that the winter transfer window is set to open in a matter of hours, some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding the Toon's plans.

The Latest: Newcastle eyeing Maddison and Tielemans

According to a recent report from the Northern Echo, Newcastle will make formal inquiries for both Maddison and Tielemans in January.

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The report also adds that "the Magpies’ recruitment team have identified the Leicester City duo as key targets ahead of the reopening of the transfer window, with midfield regarded as a key priority area."

The Verdict: A dream deal for Newcastle

With the duo providing a combined total of ten goals and five assists in the league for Leicester this season, this highlights just how important they have been for the Foxes.

Having been described as being "influential" for the Midlands club in the past by journalist Nick Mashiter, it's easy to see why Newcastle are keen on signing them both.

 

In addition to their goals and assists, the duo have made more key passes (70, 49) than any other Leicester players, as well as Tielemans having the highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (50).

This, therefore, makes it understandable why the duo are currently Leicester's two highest-rated players for the season according to WhoScored.

Taking all of this into account, if the Toon are able to sign even one of the two Leicester players in January, they would undoubtedly be strengthening their midfield, whereas potentially signing both would be an absolute dream.