Reliable journalist: Newcastle make ‘improved bid’ for ‘special talent’; player ‘wants the move’

Newcastle United have made an improved bid for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison, according to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.

On Saturday, Sky Sports reported that the Foxes had rejected a £40m bid from the Magpies for the 25-year-old playmaker.

As per the report, Eddie Howe’s side were considering whether to make an improved bid for the one-cap England international.

It is believed that Leicester value Maddison closer to the £60m mark.

Edwards has shared a fresh update on Newcastle’s pursuit of the player, revealing that the Magpies have proceeded in making an improved bid to Leicester.

Taking to Twitter on Monday afternoon, the reliable journalist claimed: “#nufc have made a second improved bid for Leicester City’s James Maddison today. Fee is in excess of £45m but payments are staggered. As I’ve said all along, they have been led to believe Maddison wants the move. We shall see. He might also want a new contract!!”

When analysing Maddison’s underlying statistics, it is clear to see why Howe is so keen on bringing the 25-year-old to St James’ Park this summer.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the midfielder ranks in the 90th percentile for non-penalty goals, the 88th percentile for assists and the 84th percentile for total shots.

Meanwhile, his haul of 18 goals in all competitions in 2021/22 was more than double Newcastle’s leading scorer for the campaign and equal to the Toon’s top three scorers combined, so he could certainly make them a more lethal outfit.

With the Magpies boss keen on adding a versatile attacker to his ranks, Maddison’s arrival on Tyneside would provide Howe with a playmaker who could dictate the play in the middle of the park,