Newcastle United have tabled an improved offer for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his forward line ahead of the new season kicking off this weekend.
The Magpies have made three signings this summer, a goalkeeper and two defenders, and are now ready to turn their attention further forwards having missed out on Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, who has joined Paris Saint Germain.
And they have identified the Leicester City man, who grabbed 12 goals and 8 assists for the Foxes last season, as one of their main attacking targets, having already seen one bid of around £35m turned down.
Now, according to reports, Newcastle have returned with a fresh bid, having upped the fee to over £45m to be staggered across several years, in the hope that this will tempt Leicester City into parting ways with their talismanic midfielder.
Out of contract in 2024, the Foxes will be acutely aware of the example set by Youri Tielemans this summer, who they are likely to lose for a nominal fee towards the end of the window or on a free next summer, and could recognise that this could be their last chance to make a major profit on the former Norwich midfielder before he too follows Tielemans’ example.
Leicester need to raise funds
It is well documented that Leicester City need to raise funds before they can improve the first team this summer, and five players have been linked with moves away this summer.
Alongside Maddison and Tielemans, Jannick Vestergaard has been subject to interest from Fulham, but that would likely not bring in a significant fee were he to depart.
Young duo Harvey Barnes and Wesley Fofana, subject of interest from Newcastle and Chelsea respectively, are far more likely to do so, but are also very valuable options for Brendan Rodgers, with the Leicester boss reiterating that Fofana is not for sale this summer.
As a result, selling Maddison could well be the best compromise for the Foxes.
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