In a bold move to bolster their attacking prowess, Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly preparing an opening bid of £40 million to secure the services of Leicester City’s influential playmaker, James Maddison. With the 26-year-old approaching the final year of his contract and Leicester’s relegation to the Championship, a transfer appears likely for the talented Englishman.
For some time now, both Tottenham and Newcastle United have been vying for Maddison’s signature, but it is the North London giants who have surged ahead in the pursuit. New manager Ange Postecoglou is eager to enhance the creativity within his squad for his debut season, identifying Maddison as a top target.
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham is now making preparations for their initial offer to Leicester, with an upfront fee of £40 million excluding potential add-ons. However, the Foxes are known to be tough negotiators and are reportedly holding out for a fee of up to £60 million, despite the risk of losing Maddison on a free transfer in 2024.
Tottenham remains optimistic that they can meet Leicester’s financial demands by including performance-related bonuses in the deal. The club is said to be on the verge of submitting their opening proposal, signaling their strong intent to secure Maddison’s signature.
Tottenham’s pursuit of Maddison has gained momentum with Newcastle cooling their interest, as the Magpies focus on finalizing a deal for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Leicester City, despite their relegation, stands to make a substantial profit on the £21.4 million they invested in Maddison five years ago. The playmaker has justified his price tag, contributing an impressive 55 goals and 41 assists in 203 appearances for the Foxes since his arrival in 2018. His achievements include lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021.
During the 2022-23 season, Maddison showcased his quality with 10 goals and nine assists in 30 Premier League matches, earning a call-up to the recent England squad. He played a significant role in England’s 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Malta, featuring for 70 minutes.
Leicester City has already experienced the departure of Youri Tielemans to Aston Villa on a free transfer, and there are speculations that Harvey Barnes, who scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season, could soon follow Maddison’s path out of the club.
While Tottenham is also believed to hold an interest in Barnes, alongside Newcastle, Aston Villa, and West Ham United, there have been no significant developments regarding the potential departure of the winger.
Tottenham has already secured their first permanent signing of the Postecoglou era with the return of Dejan Kulusevski following a successful loan spell from Juventus. The imminent arrival of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who reportedly underwent a medical on Monday, adds further excitement to Spurs’ transfer activity. Additionally, Postecoglou has prioritized strengthening the center-back position with the potential addition of one or two new defenders.
