Newcastle 'knocking on the door' for £110k-a-week star at St James' Park

Newcastle United ‘keep knocking on the door’ for James Maddison and the Leicester City creative midfielder could be deployed out wide if he heads to St James’ Park, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has already spent close to £60million since the summer window opened for business – with Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman linking up with the Tyneside giants – but a big-money move for Maddison could be on the cards ahead of the September 1 deadline.

According to The Guardian, Newcastle have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Maddison and seen two bids rejected by Leicester.

The report suggests the Magpies’ latest proposal, which was £45million plus £5million in add-ons, fell short of the Foxes’ valuation of the one-cap England international.

Although Leicester would rather keep Maddison at the King Power Stadium, it is understood that they are willing to cash-in if the £60million price tag they have set is met.

But Newcastle are not the 25-year-old’s only admirers as Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ‘very seriously considering’ making a move.

Leicester are not in desperate need of selling Maddison ahead of the transfer window slamming shut as he still has two years remaining on his £110,000-per-week contract.

Jones understands that Newcastle’s interest in Maddison is not going away and has refused to rule out the possibility of a third bid being made.

The transfer insider believes Howe sees the former Norwich City man as a potential option on the wing as well as centrally.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “James Maddison is obviously one that they keep knocking on the door for.

“Typically, I guess you might think James Maddison is a central player, but I think Newcastle think he might be