Newcastle United concluded their pre-season preparations with another fine win over European opponents, but it is James Maddison who is the talk of Tyneside this weekend. Leicester City have reportedly turned down a £40 million approach for the England international, although the Magpies could return with an improved offer.
It was a link that emerged as something of a surprise to several Newcastle supporters, given Eddie Howe's desire to recruit a striker and a right forward before the window closes. Maddison is a prime example of the modern-day attacking midfielder capable of playing almost all attacking roles, but is arguably at his best in a central position.
Newcastle have unsurprisingly been linked to a host of attacking stars across the continent in recent weeks, with a clear blueprint seemingly emerging. Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko ticked the boxes for a young forward to provide competition for Callum Wilson, while Anthony Gordon and Jack Harrison are among the the latest candidates tipped to fill the vacancy on the right flank.
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Maddison does not fit this template for either a striker or a winger, leaving some Magpies fans to question the logic of the move on social media. However, such concerns ignore the obvious observation that the Foxes star represents an instant upgrade on all of the Magpies' current creative options.
Maddison was a bright spot in an otherwise troubled campaign for Brendan Rodgers' side, and the playmaker was voted the club's player of the season by fans. The 25-year-old registered a career-best return of 18 goals and 12 assists, and has been the subject of reported recent interest from Arsenal and Tottenham.
To put this into context, United managed just 44 goals in all competitions despite their drastic revival under Howe. Wilson again finished the season as top scorer despite missing almost half the season with a hamstring injury.
Maddison would provide an immediate injection of goals and assists into a side desperately needing both, and with just two years left on his deal could yet prove to be an attainable target. But regardless of whether Newcastle prove successful in this pursuit, the fact they have even made a bid is evidence of the drastic turnaround instigated by the club's new owners.
It was not so long ago that the shoe was on the other foot, and Leicester made their move for one of the Magpies' brightest attacking talents. Ayoze Perez was Newcastle's top scorer in the 2018/19 season, but left St James' Park after five years once the Foxes activated his £30m release clause.
It was a deal which seemingly came out of the blue, even if the price tag was considered a good return for a player who had often frustrated with his inconsistency. The former Tenerife prospect followed Rafa Benitez out of the exit door, and damningly proclaimed it was a lack of ambition that led him to leave Mike Ashley's Magpies.
Perez told the Athletic in August 2019: "Things could be done better over there at Newcastle, but Leicester have given me the opportunity to do great things hopefully. There is big ambition.
"I think how football works, the way you have to look at football, that is the difference between Leicester and Newcastle. There is big motivation here to keep growing and to get better here at Leicester. I didn't feel they had it at Newcastle."
Fast forward three years, and it is now Leicester who face a fight to keep hold of their stars. Youri Tielemans has entered the final year of his contract and is expected to leave, while Newcastle have also been tentatively linked to Harvey Barnes in this window.
Howe has previously admitted the Foxes provide a model for the Magpies to follow, with their recent investments allowing Rodgers' side to compete with the 'Big Six' and lift the FA Cup in 2021. However, their current financial limitations mean Leicester have been unable to strengthen and are now at risk of being overtaken by the likes of Newcastle next season.
Perez left St James' Park due to the vacuum of hope under Ashley, but this has been empathically restored to the point the club now believe they could tempt Maddison to sign. Regardless of whether a deal is agreed, it is a sign of the transformation on Tyneside ahead of the start of the most eagerly-anticipated season in more than a decade.
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