James Maddison looks set to become Tottenham's third permanent signing of the summer under new head coach Ange Postecoglou. After Dejan Kulusevski's loan move from Juventus was made permanent and Guglielmo Vicario joined from Empoli, the Leicester forward is set to join them at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
football.london understands that Maddison is due to have his medical at Hotspur Way on Wednesday, with a deal in the region of £40million agreed between Spurs and the Foxes to secure his signing.
It is an exciting signing for the new head coach's attacking philosophy in N17, with supporters too impressed with the move. Maddison had Newcastle United as a suitor too, but Spurs always looked to be the preferred destination, despite the lack of European football next season, something the Magpies could offer.
The Australian's 4-3-3 system requires attack-minded midfielders in front of a pivot, inverted full-backs and a central striker role that requires plenty of running. Maddison will slot perfectly into that 'attack-minded midfielders' category, teaming up with the forwards and a player in Harry Kane he has built up a strong connection with at international level.
But Kane's place in the Tottenham side will force Maddison to change in one particular area - his shirt number.
Maddison has been the number 10 at Leicester City since joining the club in 2018/19. He also had one season at Coventry in 2015/16 where he was the No.10 - clearly a favoured number of the 26-year-old.
However, Kane has been the No.10 at Tottenham since the 2015/16 season and will not be relinquishing his shirt for anyone, given his status at the club.
READ MORE: James Maddison to Tottenham transfer latest: Medical confirmed, verbal agreement, bid accepted
That will force Maddison to look elsewhere for a squad number at Spurs. Another number he has previously worn - 23 - at Norwich is also taken in N17, by Pedro Porro.
The Leicester man has also worn 28 and 36 in his career - 28 has been used by Tanguy Ndombele, while 36 is free - but given his stature in the game now, he is likely to want a more significant position.
And there are a couple of options potentially open to him. The No.8 shirt at Spurs has been worn by Harry Winks, who spent last season on loan with Sampdoria and faces an uncertain future at the club, with Leicester coincidentally linked with a move for the former England man. No.11 - something Maddison has worn for England - is in use by Bryan Gil, whose future also remains uncertain given his loan to Sevilla last season.
Both could be perfect for Maddison, with No.8 probably the dream scenario.
