Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Newcastle United's 'big investment' has raised the stakes in the top half of the Premier League as the Leicester City boss attempts to keep hold of James Maddison.
Although Newcastle's owners have limited spending to comply with the top-flight's profit and sustainability regulations, the Magpies have still spent more than £153m on new players since the takeover was completed last year. Newcastle have signed goalkeeper Nick Pope and defenders Sven Botman and Matt Targett this summer, and Eddie Howe is still in the market for a forward who could make a real difference in the final third.
Newcastle have had two big-money bids rejected for Maddison in the last 10 days and the Leicester star sent a timely reminder of his qualities in the Foxes' 2-2 draw against Brentford on Sunday. It was Maddison, after all, who set up Timothy Castagne's opener with an inch-perfect corner kick.
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Harry Kane is the only Englishman who has been directly involved in more goals in the Premier League in 2022 and Maddison's set-piece delivery is one of the many strengths that have long caught the eye of Howe and his coaching staff. Whether Newcastle return with a third bid remains to be seen, but Rodgers knows the Magpies are among those clubs who have taken steps to close the gap at a time when Leicester have failed to make a single signing this summer.
"When I came here, my ambition was to have Leicester to be in those European places," the Leicester boss told Premier League Productions. "That was the challenge. A lot of those clubs above us are way above of where we're at in terms of budget. However, that doesn't stop us thinking that we can fight and arrive in there.
"You have a top six and then you have other clubs that are coming into it with big investment - the likes of West Ham, Newcastle and Aston Villa - so there's more clubs now going to be challenging that top six.
"I'm really excited about the season, seeing the players work. There's always speculation around transfers, but I'm experienced enough now to not worry so much about that."
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