Tottenham Hotspur have been given a big boost in their pursuit of James Maddison this week...

What's the word?

Spurs are thought to be one of several Premier League teams keen on the Leicester City playmaker and he could soon become available with the Foxes in desperate need to raise funds, as per John Percy of the Telegraph.

Valued at £50m, the England international is someone who could earn a substantial fee for the Midlands club. Newcastle United have recently tested the water with a £40m bid, which was swiftly rejected and according to transfer insider Dean Jones, Maddison isn't keen on that switch either.

Instead, he appears to be holding out for a move to north London.

"I don't get any signs so far that James Maddison actually wants to join Newcastle. From what I hear, James Maddison wants to join Tottenham or Arsenal," the Eurosport journalist told 'The Done Deal Show' this week.

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Spurs given boost in the James Maddison race

There has been a lot of chatter surrounding Tottenham's interest in the 25-year-old maestro.

CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs recently claimed that manager Antonio Conte "likes the player a lot," whilst the ever-reliable Alasdair Gold of football.london suggested that if "the chance to prise him away arises they might just make a move."

With the door seemingly open, it would be foolish for sporting director Fabio Paratici and co to not strike as if Jones is to be believed, the homegrown talent is eager to play for Spurs.

The north Londoners have something of a registration problem as they lack numbers that fit the homegrown quota and that will only get worse if Japhet Tanganga and Harry Winks seal their respective exits as they are two Hotspur Way academy graduates that are no longer on the books.

Maddison, who broke through at Coventry City in 2013, would certainly aid that lingering issue.

Not just that, but he would add an abundance to Conte's engine room, having enjoyed one of his best-ever campaigns last term.

Across 53 appearances in all competitions, Maddison provided Brendan Rodgers with 18 goals and 12 assists, averaging one goal contribution every 120.8 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

It led to the Foxes boss singing his praises back in May this year.

"I saw some highlights, talking about KDB scoring 18 goals, he’s playing in a top team, James has had to work for every goal, he's not had any penalties. He’s been outstanding," he told reporters (via the Leicester Mercury). "We talked through his game and the level of intensity he adds. He elevates the team. To do it in the Premier League as a midfield player, he has shown he is one of the top players at this level."

Also lauded as "a special talent" by The Times' chief football writer Henry Winter, and as a player capable of making a "stunning" impact by The Mail's James Sharpe, it's clear that Maddison would be a remarkable seventh signing of the summer transfer window.

If Spurs can beat their arch-rivals to his signature, then Conte will be getting another fine addition to his squad and one capable of filling that creative void in midfield.

£50m is an awful lot of money to pay but English talent comes at a premium in this day and age, and he's ultimately a player that could solve a lot in N17.

Paratici must now look to submit a formal offer for the Leicester star.

AND in other news, Conte can land Perisic 2.0 as Spurs eye £67k-pw target who's "in the Vertonghen mould"...

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