Ayoze Perez questioned Newcastle United's ambition when he made the shock move to Leicester City three years ago. Now, it is the Foxes 'intent' which is being questioned as the Magpies try to seal a deal for James Maddison.
Newcastle are yet to receive a response to a second bid for the England international, although reports suggest it is likely to again be rejected. Leicester are said to be holding out for £60 million for the attacking midfielder who has two years left on his contract.
Eddie Howe has so far been frustrated in his efforts to strengthen his frontline in the current window, with long-time target Hugo Ekitike opting to sign for Paris Saint-Germain. News of Newcastle's interest in Maddison emerged over the weekend, and Leicester's current financial limitations has seemingly opened the door to a potential sale.
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The Magpies are said to be reluctant to meet the Foxes asking price, and talkSPORT commentator Ally McCoist feels any agreement below the quoted £60m figure would be a 'steal'. The Rangers legend used the example of Manchester City's record move for Jack Grealish last summer in discussing a potential fee, while disputing fellow presenter Darren Bent's assertion that a St James' Park switch would be a 'backwards step' for Maddison.
McCoist also questioned the 'intent' now on display at Leicester following a difficult season, hinting the respective clubs are now heading in different directions. He told talkSPORT: "Well you look at Jack Grealish going for £100m, you'd probably say Maddison would be a steal at £50m. I can't believe those words are coming out of my mouth.
"I'd maybe put him at about £65m-£70m which is incredible, but where I disagree with Benty [Darren Bent] is I wouldn't have it down as a backwards step going to Newcastle. I know what they're saying, certainly Leicester have had injuries, but is there any real intent from Leicester?
"Have we seen any real intent, has Brendan [Rodgers] been allowed to go and say 'right, here's what I'm going to do, here's my plans for the next couple of seasons, I'm going to bring two or three in and we'll be off and running again'? I've not seen that at Leicester.
"That's the one thing that will happen at Newcastle. There's no doubt that will happen."
It appears to be a role reversal from three years ago, when Newcastle's top scorer Ayoze Perez decided to follow Rafa Benitez out of the exit door. Leicester triggered the Spanish forward's £30m release clause, with the opportunity to achieve 'great things' cited as a factor in his decision to sign at the King Power Stadium.
Perez has struggled to earn a regular starting spot under Rodgers, but was rewarded with a winners' medal following the Foxes' FA Cup success in 2021. However, the end of the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle coupled with a frustrating summer so far for Leicester indicate the tables have already turned when it comes to questions of ambition and 'intent'.
“The ambition of the club (Leicester) and the way they are doing the right things was very important in my decision. Also, as soon as Rafa left the decision was easier," he said after leaving the Magpies. “Things could be done better over there at Newcastle, but Leicester have given me the opportunity to do great things hopefully.
"There is big ambition. I think how football works, the way you have to look at football, that is the difference between Leicester and Newcastle. There is big motivation here to keep growing and to get better here at Leicester. I didn’t feel they had it at Newcastle.”
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