A claim has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in signing James Maddison ahead of the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that the Magpies were bidding £10-15m less than what was being demanded by Leicester for the attacking midfielder's services in the summer but that they could go back in for him at the start of 2023.

He told GIVEMESPORT: "The valuation was, as I understand it, 10 or 15 million under Leicester's at the point when they made the bid last window, but they're one to watch still to see if they reignite that interest and are prepared to pay above valuation for a player with huge potential."

Tottenham are also interested in signing the mercurial playmaker and the Foxes are said to want a fee in the region of £60m for the talented gem.

Can get St. James' Park rocking

Newcastle can get St. James' Park rocking with joy by securing a deal to sign Maddison, who was once described as "magnificent" by commentator David Connolly, in January as he would be a phenomenal signing for the club who could boost their chances of finishing in a European spot.

Maddison is a creative midfield player who could provide the likes of Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron, and Alexander Isak with quality service in the final third. He has created 1.64 open-play chances and 0.14 expected assists per match in the Premier League this season, with Bruno Guimaraes (1.74) being the only Toon player with more opportunities created per game.

The England international has also shown that he is lethal in front of goal as he has scored 0.55 goals from 0.17 expected goals per match. This shows that he is scoring 0.38 more per outing than the average player would be expected to from the chances he is getting.

No Newcastle player is overperforming their xG by as much as the Leicester man, with Miguel Almiron's overperformance of 0.24 being the biggest difference within the current Magpies squad.

Since the start of last season, Maddison has plundered 18 goals and ten assists in the Premier League and this shows that he has sustained his end product over a prolonged period of time. Meanwhile, no Newcastle player has managed more than 14 goals or seven assists since 2021/22.

This indicates that the magician, who has been dubbed a "talisman" by journalist Rob Tanner, would be a terrific addition to Eddie Howe's squad as his quality, both in terms of scoring and creating goals, outweighs what the manager currently has to work with.

Therefore, St. James' Park would be rocking if Maddison arrives in January. He is a proven Premier League performer who could make a huge impact at the club and his acquisition would be another statement of intent by PIF, as they would be signing a player who is shining at a fellow top-flight side.