An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans for the upcoming January transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to the printed edition of the Sunday Mirror (23/10, p.78), the Magpies are expected to make a renewed attempt to snap up James Maddison from Leicester City at the start of 2023.

The report claims that the Foxes are anticipating another swoop from the North East side after Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth failed to land the maestro in the summer.

Newcastle reportedly made offers worth up to £50m to sign the English attacking midfielder in the last window but they were unwilling to meet Leicester's £60m valuation, which led to him remaining at the King Power Stadium until January at least.

Imagine him & Bruno

Howe could form an exceptional partnership in the middle of the park by signing Maddison and playing him alongside Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.

The Brazilian midfielder has been sensational since making the move to St. James' Park in January from Lyon and has shown that he is a quality performer at Premier League level.

Guimaraes has averaged a SofaScore match rating of 7.30 in the top-flight across nine appearances this term, bagging two goals and two assists whilst also making 4.0 tackles and interceptions per game. This comes after he managed five goals and one assist in 11 starts for the club last season.

He has shown that he has the consistency, quality and work ethic to thrive in midfield for Newcastle and he could enjoy playing alongside another player who has proven his ability on the ball at this level - Maddison.

Statman Dave recently claimed that he is in "flawless form" and his statistics this season back that up. He has plundered six goals and two assists, whilst creating 2.2 chances per game, in 10 Premier League appearances for Leicester so far this term, with his latest strike coming against Wolves at the weekend.

This comes after the former Norwich City man scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 28 top-flight starts for the Foxes in the 2021/22 campaign.

The English wizard has proven that he can make a huge impact in the final third with his ability to score and create goals on a consistent basis from midfield. At the age of 25, he also has plenty more years ahead of him to improve and develop under Howe's coaching at Newcastle.

Now, imagine Guimaraes and Maddison producing magic in midfield week-in-week-out for the Magpies in the Premier League for many more years to come...