Newcastle have identified Leicester City’s James Maddison as the top target for January according to The Northern Echo. The 25-year-old will have just 18 months left on his contract when the winter window opens.
The Magpies tried to land the playmaker over the summer but had two bids rejected. The second bid was reportedly around £40m, though it is understood to have been heavily structured.
Leicester have limped out of the gate to start the new campaign with just 1 point. They sit at the bottom of the league table having lost the last five on the trot. Maddison has contributed 2 goals and 1 assist in his five league appearances.
Eddie Howe was hopeful of adding another midfielder with Jonjo Shelvey sidelined until November with a hamstring injury. Maddison’s teammate Youri Tielemans, Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher were also on the shortlist.
Ultimately, those efforts came up short and the injury to Bruno Guimaraes has limited Howe’s options in recent weeks. Though, Elliot Anderson has been given an opportunity over that span and has not disappointed.
Premier League pundit and former England striker Ian Wright recently claimed that Maddison wanted the move to Newcastle. If true, he remained professional and didn’t try to force the situation like his teammate Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea late in the window.
If Leicester’s situation doesn’t improve soon, manager Brendan Rodgers’ job could be in jeopardy. Incidentally, Chelsea have fired Thomas Tuchel this morning after a 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
Leicester is facing an exodus with a number of stars on contracts that expire over the next two seasons. Tielemans is in the final year of his deal and Leicester were open to allowing him to leave for £25m in the summer.
Another potential summer target to watch this winter is Leeds’ Jack Harrison. Newcastle had bids in the £20m range rejected for the 25-year-old, who has struggled in recent weeks.
Harrison will have just 18 months left on his contract in January and was pulled at halftime in Leeds’ 5-2 loss at Brentford over the weekend. Like Maddison, Harrison reportedly was keen on joining Newcastle this summer.
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204 comments so far
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Sep 7, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Comment #81Tuchel never bought those players – they were bought in by the new management and he was told make it work basically
I expect it was the same at Forest
Some owners thing they no how to manage/ coach/ pick players better than the manager/coach
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 7, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Comment #82I’d be very surprised if EH isn’t heavily involved in the buying of players, is there evidence to show otherwise?
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:03 PM
Comment #83EGB – I don’t think Howe is “heavily” involved but I know he’s involved. I think there are about 6 or so people in a recruitment committee and they all have a say in the signing of new players. Howe is part of that committee.
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:04 PM
Comment #84As I see it European qualification as quickly as we can get it would be the extra pulling power to get the players we missed out on during the last window.
Pretty sure EH can handle it and the owners could afford it.
We’ve trod water for far to long to hang back now!
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Comment #85TDS
We don’t know for sure but I’d bet that EH is a major factor in any final decisions!
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:07 PM
Comment #86Wonder if Gladys has a say! 🙂
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:11 PM
Comment #87EGB – as far as I know, recruitment is headed up by Nickson and Ashworth has a big role too. Then Howe and others are also involved. So yeah, I’m sure his opinion carries a lot of weight, as does everyone’s on the committee but he’s not the main man in finding targets or negotiating.
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:19 PM
Comment #88TDS
Aye that makes sense, Eddie needs to be fully involved in the training and coaching but I reckon the final veto is his, he won’t want anyone that he thought might disrupt his ethics.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:29 PM
Comment #89EGB – exactly. I think I read that the recruitment team was unanimous to sign Isak and Botman, though I’m not sure about whether it was the same for Pope and Targett. Could have been unanimous for all 4 potentially!
So yeah, a successful team like that would allow anyone to veto a signing if they had a genuine and major concern. I can’t believe someone would force a signing on Howe that he really didn’t want.
The Taco Taker
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:49 PM
Comment #90I am thinking Boehly has made a shrewd move by spending a ton of cash and sacking a manager who delivered them trophies. What better way to endear yourself to Chelsea fans than by respecting and following the club’s traditions.
🙂
JohnJ
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:50 PM
Comment #91Raj of Hailsley
Sep 7, 2022 – Comment #70
As I’ve mentioned previously I thought Newcastle United could finish around 5th, 6th or 7th however I wouldn’t be too sad if we finished in or above 9th position.
I’m not sure we’d be ready for European football at this stage as I don’t feel we have enough strength in depth. But should we sign Maddison I may want to re-access that statement.
9
Sep 7, 2022 at 3:59 PM
Comment #92Random comments:
1 Will ASM and Bruno play on Sunday? : major difference to our chances of the vastly-needed 2nd win (1 win in 6 matches is pants)
2 All being well fitness-wise, top 6 finish is most likely
3 Potter a great manager/ Bloom a great owner
4 Anderson the coming thing
HWTL
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:10 PM
Comment #93I am forever confused why fans seem to expect a top 6 finish. Can any of you please explain how you justify expecting us to finish above 1 of the big 6 plus every other club in the league? Notice that the big 6 are in 6 of the top 7 positions already, with Brighton currently in 4th.
The big 6 should definitely finish as the top 6 and really we should have our work cut out battling with the likes of West Ham, Leicester, Villa, and Wolves.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:12 PM
Comment #94I’m not talking about what position you hope we finish in but what position you actually expect. I expect this to be a good season and relate that to finishing in 8th. Meaning below that will be an ok season but leave me disappointed because I thought it was going to be better. 8th will leave me happy and believe it was a good season, anything above will be excellent.
If you expect to get top 6, are you really going to be disappointed with 7th or 8th?
9
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:18 PM
Comment #95Oh, and forgot to add: I have read EH has final say on all transfers.
Assassins Inc
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Comment #96Not good news for Brighton, I feel though they knew one day this would happen.
Before Howe, Potter was on my list, he’s a damn good manager.
On European football for us, I’m not convinced we can handle that right now, we can’t get through several weeks without injuries to our star players. Europe would have killed us if we had to play right now.
I get the lure for better players but I’m going to trust the clubs owners and people like Ashworth to find the balance so we can compete for everything one day.
JohnJ
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:20 PM
Comment #97ToonDarnSarf
It’s my feelings that maybe we can reach top 6 but if we finish say 9th or above I would not be too disappointed with that! All our dreams were shot down in flames by the previous owner but now we can dream again – Thank God
However I’m not sure we’d be quite ready for the European theatre at this stage it’s a hard ask as many others teams have found out. My first priority would be to have a fully established team performing in the EPL. 🙂
9
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:24 PM
Comment #98TDS
Here’s the rationale (fact, not hope)
1 NUFC are unquestionably a vastly changed and improved outfit since take-over. FACT.
2 The figures for last season starting from 1 Jan 2022, reveal the most points won were by Liverpool and man city. The third most points won were by NUFC- FACT
3 The vastly impressive results won by NUFC were without, on many occasions: Trippier (injury) Wilson (injury) and Bruno (only slowly and gradually eased in): FACT
4 We start this season with all these available + Pope + Botman; why on earth would this not improve our chances?
5 I could add Isak, but my prediction was made before his signing: I think it’s very possible he increases our chances; OPINION
6 we may well spend money usefully in January (Maddison, anybody?) OPINION
Is this any help to you?
JohnJ
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:27 PM
Comment #99Ha Ha,
Just read a comment
“Newcastle were flirting with relegation under Steve Bruce, but Howe guided them to a mid-table finish.”
Flirting! Flirting! Flirting with relegation! – I’d of said it was a full blown sexual encounter!!!
JohnJ
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:28 PM
Comment #100The bun was in the oven – Thank God it miscarried!
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:31 PM
Comment #101JohnJ – that’s fair. I would agree that we “can” finish in the top 6 but think we would need to have a very good season combined with one of the big 6 having a relatively poor season. Bottom half I’ll definitely be disappointed but even top half and not flirting with relegation shows a lot of progress. Fully agree with both of your comments, including Bruce being balls deep in relegation trouble…
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:32 PM
Comment #102I am expecting a top 4 finish in the blog golf competition on Friday. Even I cannot finish 5th of 4.. I hope.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:34 PM
Comment #1039 – the mistake you’re making with the above is you are completely failing to acknowledge the competition. I 100% agree that we are a vastly improved club, squad, and team compared to last season but that can only be considered relatively.
So, to finish in 6th, which of the top 6 clubs to you think we will finish ahead of? And you’re also very confident that we’ll finish ahead of West Ham, Wolves. Villa,. and Leicester? Also you could add Brighton if they continue their form.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:34 PM
Comment #104Pug – that is if we’re not rained off…
The Taco Taker
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:36 PM
Comment #105I would be satisfied with top 10, and happy with top 8, Europe would be a welcome bonus. Anything lower that 10th I would consider a disappointment, but I wouldn’t going losing my $hit over it.
I said at the start of the season qualifying for Europe this season puts us a year of schedule, and I stand by that. Having said that I refuse to buy into the theory that doing so would be detrimental. I respect other people stances on this and understand their view, I simply don’t agree with it. Aside from the reasons I listed before, we are always going to be somewhat hampered in our transfer dealings until we can offer European football, so I would make the case that NOT qualifying for European competition is detrimental.
Simply put – if we qualify for Europe, it will have been on merit and will mean we are ready for it. Especially given we would still have the summer to adjust the squad not to mention that will be after whatever we do in the next window.
Ashingtoon62
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Comment #106Costa has just got his work permit, hmmm! *scratching chin emoji*
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Comment #107The Taco Taker – I agree. Qualifying for Europe can put a strain on some team’s squads when they aren’t geared up for it but we have to assume that the club will have additional revenue streams for next season and the additional revenue from European competition plus our high league finish plus the additional revenue from commercial partners for our greater global coverage will all increase the amount the club can realistically spend without a big risk of FFP issues. Getting into Europe next season should just accelerate things and not put a huge strain on the squad.
That being said, I won’t be upset if we don’t make it. But will be nice to be back. 🙂
the crown princes nashers
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:40 PM
Comment #108god the chelsea antics with managers just keeps going on and on, sacking a manger who had no imput in the players signed is bordering on insanity, tuchel has had a lucky escape the way i see it, no manger anywhere in the world likes it when hes not had any say in transfers its just idiotic really
this league just gets crazier as the games goes by, first scott parker now tuchel who ever is next i wonder
JohnJ
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:45 PM
Comment #109I assume it’s going to cost Chelsea BIG money in compo for Tuchel
Ashingtoon62
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:46 PM
Comment #110Surrey golfers!!
Do you think, we will see our first fighting on the course at Wentworth this week?
Rory has certainly dug himself a hole (sorry).
I find it hilarious when he says the LIV guys have just followed the money,these guy’s have been getting £millions for years,for basically competing in a non spectator sport…
9
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Comment #111TDS @103
Thanks for a constructive response, though your absence of detailed comment on my facts seems, perhaps, a little evasive.
Of all the teams you mentioned, we have already finished above them on 2022 statistics last season.
I personally think our start so far of 1 win in 6 matches is totally disastrous, and completely agree this is nowhere near top 6 + finish.
You may have gathered my reasons for thinking we’ll finish above all teams you mention, so I don’t expect they need repeating.
Could you kindly advise why you think “I’m completely failing to consider the opposition” since this is a FACT I pointed out in the 2022 statistics (which also covers your query as to which of the top 6 I think we will replace: take your pick from Chelsea, Man U and Spurs)
Ashingtoon62
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #112Sorry if any of these points have already been mentioned..
Watched a podcast earlier on The Athletic with David Ornstein and Liam Twomey (Athletic Chelsea correspondent) They knew pre season that this was coming,which begs the question why Aubameyang? Wonder what he’s thinking right now.
Good news for FPL players,no Reece James at centre back ever again..
Bad news,this will cement Chelsea as a top four,if (when) Potter signs.
Carragher (spit) has just been on SSN and said Potter would be a mistake and they should go for Poch.. Dear me!!!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 7, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #113If they get 4 rounds in at Wentworth this week they will have done well. All it took was a hosepipe ban and it has not stopped raining.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Comment #1149 – firstly because that was just the second half of the season and can’t be included in isolation and secondly because most other clubs have strengthened. You point out that we have strengthened the squad but so have they, that’s what I’m referring to. Can Man Utd be as bad this season as last with their squad? The signs are already there that they’re doing better and the likes of Rashford have started well. Arsenal have also started well and maybe will gel more this season to push for the top 4. The Spurs squad is definitely superior to ours too, as is Chelsea’s, although the latter could struggle with upheaval if they don’t get the new manager choice right.
So, do you think our squad is better than Chelsea, Man Utd, or Spurs? And do you think it’s better than West Ham, Wolves, Leicester, and Villa too?
Obviously I do not deny your facts so I decided not to elaborate. Thankfully, you are a person who knows what the word “fact” means. 🙂
The only one I could add a little information to is you point out that Wilson and Bruno are available, well both have been unavailable for a few games, Wilson will be lucky to play half of our matches, and we can’t rely too much on Bruno. Plus, we’ve already lost Shelvey (a big part of our success under Howe last season) and Krafth (stood in very well in Trippier’s absence).
The Taco Taker
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:03 PM
Comment #115TDS – exactly, it would be ahead of any realists schedule but if it happened it should be embraced, not feared. I highly doubt the Howe, the players or the owners are losing any sleep over the damaging consequences of qualifying for Europe!
Crown Prince – But Chelsea have always done this kind of this mental stuff and seem to be the one club that can make a success of it regardless.
That is why the Chelsea job is probably the best job in the business from a Managers point of view – top, top pay, ability to spend a load of cash, high probability of silverware and if you get sacked after 12-18 months your reputation is untarnished because Chelsea are a bunch of nutters who always sack the manager.
Admittedly the new owners are total unproven, and seem to be saying they want someone to buy into a long term plan for Chelsea. If that is true then Potter is a logical choice and he would be nuts to turn the job down, unless he felt the owners vision is totally out of whack with his beliefs.
Ashingtoon62
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:11 PM
Comment #116Brighton v Crystal Palace..
Postponed due to the rail strike.. WTF?
ottawageordie2
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:11 PM
Comment #117IMO I don’t think euro would be good for us next season. We don’t have the bench strength and it would be detrimental to our growth. 3 more windows and good incomings would do us well. Then Europe and possibly a cup.
9
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:13 PM
Comment #118TDS,
I acknowledge our opponents have strengthened. You may have made the mistake of ignoring the FACT that we, also, have strengthened. By the way, I share your opinion of Wilson’s fitness. So far as I am aware, he has not had an earlier history of repeated injuries, but he certainly does now, I refer to him as sicknote even as I value his England-class ability when playing. Perhaps Isak can help, is it age catching up with Wilson? I don’t understand your view that Bruno has dodgy fitness. Where did that OPINION come from, may I enquire?
By the way, I very much hope Bruno + ASM play on Sunday. I’m really upset we have 3 major players already injured in August?!!? This can’t be right/normal. May be a big part of why our rubbish record of 1 win in 6 has occurred.
Mister Tuff
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:14 PM
Comment #119Oh dear the blog golfers are getting revved up to bore the arse off the rest of us reporting on their upcoming game.
They’ll be droning on about it forever like old biddies discussing a knitting pattern.
Please save us from this shite.
Wor B
Sep 7, 2022 at 5:15 PM
Comment #120Boring golfers…. OOT
😆