Newcastle had 'chance' to sign £50m Premier League star at St James' Park

Newcastle United would have ‘no chance’ of signing Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison if he were to sign a new contract at the King Power Stadium, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Eddie Howe bolstered his squad during the summer transfer window, splashing over £120 million on recruits, but failed in his bid to sign a top target.

The Magpies pushed hard to bring the 25-year-old to St James’ Park, seeing multiple bids rejected by the East Midlands outfit, with the biggest offer reaching £50 million.

Maddison ultimately remained with the Foxes beyond the deadline, however, and has made a fast start to the season, scoring three goals in seven Premier League games, despite Brendan Rodgers and co. sitting bottom of the league.

However, Newcastle do not appear to be giving up in their pursuit of the one-cap England international.

According to Football Insider, the North East outfit are plotting a new bid for Maddison once the January transfer window opens.

The report states that Newcastle suspect Leicester’s valuation of their star man will have dropped since the summer, with just over 18 months remaining on his deal.

However, there were reports in the summer that Maddison’s current side had opened talks over a new contract with the 2021 FA Cup winners.

Downie understands that Newcastle would have no chance of signing Maddison if he were to agree new terms at the King Power.

The Sky Sports reporter told GIVEMESPORT: “If he does go on to sign a new contract at Leicester, you’ve got to say Newcastle have got no chance of getting him. Their only chance really of getting him would have been in that sort of cut-price deal [in the summer], and I’m saying cut-price deal, we’re talking over £40 million.