Leicester City have reportedly rejected a £40million bid from Newcastle United for midfield ace James Maddison.
The playmaker has been identified by Magpies boss Eddie Howe as his primary transfer target to take the side to the next level this season. The Telegraph revealed Newcastle submitted an offer on Friday which was instantly turned down.
The Saudi-backed billionaires are now debating whether to submit another bid for the 25-year-old. However, it is believed Leicester will require a far greater sum in the region of £60m if they are to part ways with their talisman this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
READ MORE: Fans joke Barcelona are out to hijack another Chelsea transfer after 'liking' post
That would mean the Foxes stand to make a £40m profit on Maddison if Newcastle do end up splashing out. The club reportedly spent around £20m in securing his signature from Norwich City in 2018.
Any transfer above £40m would also make Maddison Newcastle’s most expensive player ever, surpassing the fee they spent on Joelinton back in 2019.
Maddison enjoyed his most prolific season to date last campaign, having scored 12 goals and registered eight assists in the league. He became a far greater goal threat under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers and would undoubtedly be a major signing for the Magpies.
Do you think James Maddison is worth £60million? Let us know in the comments section below
Leicester, on the other hand, are the only Premier League side yet to make a signing in the summer transfer window. It is believed a greater offer for Maddison would tempt the Foxes to part ways and invest in other areas of the squad.
The attacking-midfielder was linked to Arsenal last summer but his hefty price-tag is understood to have put the Gunners off. And he is yet to attract attention from the Premier League’s big six thus far this summer.
READ NEXT:
- Joke defender dubbed ‘Premier League’s worst’ had better stats than Van Dijk and Vidic
- Joelinton red-carded as Newcastle vs Benfica descends into chaos with benches scrapping
- Leicester could soon have three of Southampton's defenders who played in 9-0 defeat
Source: Read Full Article