YouTube presenter Matthew Renton has shared his excitement about a potential Newcastle United move for James Maddison after a clip of the England midfielder speaking about his teammates was released.
Speaking on The Magpie Channel TV, Renton claimed that the footage of Maddison acknowledging the links to Newcastle, as well as his friendships with Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope, could mean the Leicester star is on his way up north.
Newcastle were previously linked with a summer move for the former Norwich City star, and reportedly made multiple bids worth over £50m for the attacking midfielder, who was eyed up as the perfect addition to a midfield currently glittered by Brazilians Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.
The Magpies ended up splashing a club record £63m on Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad instead, but their interest in the Englishman seemingly remains alive.
“He’s talking there to Josh Denzel in the England camp about the craic between Wilson, Pope, the Newcastle lads, he says there’s great banter between the Newcastle lot,” Renton stated.
“The fact that he mentioned the speculation speaks volumes to me, why would you mention that? Why would he talk about the speculation rather than brush it under the carpet, but he doesn’t brush it under the carpet?
“He embraces it, he talks about the rumours to Newcastle last summer, he talks about the ongoing speculation, he still says there’s speculation there, which there is.”
TIF thoughts on Maddison and Newcastle…
The 26-year-old has just 18 months left to run on his deal, and although Leicester could be tempted to cash in at the end of the season, it is hard to see them parting ways with one of their best players midway through a campaign in which they have struggled.
The England international has seven goals and four assists to his name in 13 Premier League appearances this season, and given that Brendan Rodgers’ side sit just four points clear of the relegation zone, they cannot afford to lose a player with that exceptional level of output midway through the year.
However, if Newcastle can land Maddison, it would be an extraordinary statement of intent, and a deal which propels them over the line for an unprecedented top-four finish.
Eddie Howe’s team have been fantastic, losing just once in the league and currently residing in third place, and this would be a ceiling-raising deal should they pull it off.
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