Newcastle United look set to turn their attention elsewhere with Leicester City playmaker James Maddison closing in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The Magpies saw two bids for the England international turned down last summer and were expected to follow up their interest again following on from the Foxes' relegation to the Championship.
Maddison is set to move to Tottenham in a transfer worth £40million plus add-ons, having already agreed personal terms. The signing of the 26-year-oldwill represent a major coup for Spurs, who have been long-term admirers.
Reports doing the rounds claim Eddie Howe and his staff viewed Maddison as a luxury signing this summer, rather than a necessity. The Toon are closing in on a move for AC Milan schemer Sandro Tonali which could be complete by the end of the week.
With Maddison set for a medical at Spurs, Newcastle could turn their attention elsewhere in order to bolster their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League. Chronicle Live has used Macro-Football to take a closer look at some players who are similar to Maddison and could be available this summer.
READ MORE: Premier League transfer news as James Maddison has Spurs medical and rice set £105m move
Newcastle are reportedly in the market for another elite midfielder this summer and were linked with a move for Inter Milan talisman Nicolo Barella, but it's a fellow Italian who poses a similar style of play to that of Maddison. Sassuolo playmaker Domenico Berardi has a 98.4 per cent similarity to the soon to be Spurs midfielder.
The 28-year-old Italian international who plays off the right wing in Serie A, made 26 appearances in the top flight last season, scoring 12 goals and notching seven assists. The Sassuolo academy graduate has spent his entire career in Italy and at his boyhood club - bar a brief co-ownership tenure at Juventus.
Berardi has scored 91 goals in 249 appearances for I Neroverdi and could be a cheaper alternative than Maddison. Staying in Serie A, AS Roma playmaker Paulo Dybala has 98.1 per cent similarity to Maddison in terms of overall game play and could leave Jose Mourinho's side this summer.
The Argentinian has been linked with a move to St. James' Park in recent months, albeit there's been no concrete interest from the Magpies. Dybala is reportedly a target for a number of Saudi Arabian sides as they look to bring another superstar to the Saudi Professional League.
The Toon were reportedly offered the 29-year-old for a £10.5 million fee, along with Manchester United, but his wages are likely to break the Toon's wage structure. The final alternative to Maddison is slightly left-field.
Marseille attacking midfielder Cenzig Under has a 96.7 per cent similarity to Maddison based on attacking and defensive metrics after scoring five goals and notching four assists in Ligue 1 last season. The former AS Roma midfielder spent some time on loan with Leicester City during the 2021-21 campaign but struggled to break into the first-team on a consistent basis.
He's found game time more regular in France and at 25-years-old still has plenty to offer. The Turkish playmaker has Champions League experience from last season and like Dybala, would add some strength in depth to Howe's side.
