One notable transfer target for Newcastle United in recent times has been Leicester City talisman James Maddison, with reports last August having claimed that the Magpies had lodged a bid of around £50m in order to prise the Englishman from the King Power Stadium.

That was followed by further claims made during the January transfer window which suggested that the Tynesiders were "in talks" over a deal for the 26-year-old, while there have already been reports that Eddie Howe and co will make another approach at the end of the season.

Those at St James' Park may well be hoping that their persistence pays off, although there could be lingering concerns that the move is simply not destined to happen, with Premier League rivals Manchester City also now in the mix for the one-cap England international's signature.

That may well ensure that the Tynesiders are forced to look elsewhere to find a potential playmaking alternative to Maddison, with recent rumours circulating that the Carabao Cup finalists are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt star Daichi Kamada.

What's the latest on Kamada to Newcastle?

As 90min reported last week, Newcastle are among a host of top clubs across Europe who are 'weighing up' an offer for the Japan international, with the 26-year-old seemingly set to depart the Bundesliga side once his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

That has ensured that the 6 foot sensation is now able to negotiate a potential free transfer elsewhere, hence the growing list of suitors who are lining up to secure his services ahead of next season.

Could Kamada be an alternative to Maddison?

The chance to sign Kamada for nothing would undoubtedly be an attractive prospect for the Magpies, particularly with it set to require more than £40m if they are to land the aforementioned Maddison this summer.

While the latter has been a leading creative presence for the Foxes this season with nine goals and five assists in 16 league appearances, the Frankfurt ace has also proven a real potent threat in the final third, with 13 goals and five assists in 28 games across all fronts, including seven goals and five assists in 18 Bundesliga outings.

Much like Maddison, Kamada - who is valued at around £13m by CIES Football Observatory - also offers the benefit of being able to feature in a variety of roles. He has typically lined up in a central midfield berth in recent times, although he can feature in a more advanced position as well as on the flanks.

The likeness between the pair is also illustrated by their ability to drive forward from deep, with the former Sagan Tosu machine ranking in the top 16% among midfielders in Europe for progressive carries, while the Leicester maestro also features among the top 16% for that same metric.

That should well showcase that it would be an astute move for Newcastle to plump for Kamada this summer on a free transfer, with that saving PIF from having to splash the cash to prise Maddison from his current club.

For all the Coventry-born gem's undoubted quality, the Frankfurt dynamo is also a "superb" asset and an "incredible talent", according to journalist Josh Bunting, with such a bargain deal certainly one to consider for those on Tyneside.