If Newcastle United can land James Maddison, he will immediately bring added value to their midfield ahead of their Champions League campaign. The Leicester midfielder is among their top transfer priorities this summer.
Eddie Howe is expected to strengthen the squad with the addition of some big names after securing a top-four finish last season. Maddison has been linked with a move to St James' Park for some time.
They pushed hard for his signature last summer but were unable to strike a deal with the Foxes, who stuck to their £50m price tag. However, Leicester's relegation to the Championship has only strengthened Newcastle's chances of landing the 26-year-old.
It looks like they will face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur, according to recent reports. Spurs are now said to be stepping up their interest in the midfielder following the appointment of Ange Postecoglou.
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Although bosses at the King Power Stadium are expected to hold out for another big fee, it's believed Howe will be given a £130m war chest to build on last season's success and Maddison could well be part of his recruitment drive.
One look at his stats for last season shows just what he can bring to the Newcastle United midfield. According to player performance website Whoscored.com, Kieran Trippier led the Magpies' assist chart.
It doesn't take into account passes that hit another player on the way through, such as Alexander Isak's fantastic run for the fourth goal at Everton when Jacob Murphy slotted home after mesmerising skill on the touchline. It clipped an Everton defender on the way through, meaning Isak's assist is not credited.
However, it records direct assists and this is where Maddison's value is clear. He laid nine goals on a plate for his Leicester teammates last season, two more than Trippier. He also chipped in with 10 goals. That took his Premier League goal involvements to 19 from just 31 appearances from midfield, which is most impressive.
To put that into context, Trippier chipped in with seven direct assists, the most of any Newcastle player ahead of Joe Willock with six. Bruno Guimaraes contributed five goals, the same amount as Allan Saint-Maximin.
If Howe can land his man this summer and he can bring that form to St James' Park, he can be a player who can help Newcastle United push on further next season.
