Gabby Agbonlahor has taken aim at Newcastle United for a 'disrespectful' opening £40million offer for James Maddison. The Leicester City playmaker has emerged as one of the Magpies targets in an advanced position but the Foxes have rejected the opening offer.
The Toon have been told to cough up an offer in the region of £60million with Brendan Rodgers joking the original offer 'cover three-quarters of his left leg.' The Foxes were told to expect an improved bid from Newcastle as Eddie Howe's side launch their own bid for European football, and the Toon have since gone back in with an improved offer.
Before that second bid, Agbonlahor told Talksport : "I think it is disrespectful (Newcastle United) bidding £40m for James Maddison. I think the career he’s had so far, especially towards the second half of last season, he definitely deserved an England call.
READ MORE: Jamaal Lascelles on 'ambitious' Newcastle United owners, season ahead and seventh year as captain
“So, £40m is disrespectful. £60 million is about right. Still, if Leicester accepted £60 million, what does that say about them? About their aspirations this season? He should be a player, no amount of money you would sell him for. You would try to keep him, build on him during this coming season.
“They (Leicester City) haven’t been busy in the market and they can’t afford to lose the likes of Fofana, Maddison and Barnes, they should be indispensable to the club. I think they will keep him (James Maddison).
“£60 million is about right but for me, I would say to Newcastle, he is not going anywhere unless you give us £80m, because he is that important to what we are trying to achieve.”
READ NEXT
‘You can see how happy he is’ - Brendan Rodgers dismisses Newcastle United’s James Maddison offer
James Maddison bid and Newcastle's shock £30m transfer call which proves new owners' turnaround
Three ways Newcastle United could line up with James Maddison
Brendan Rodgers' Newcastle United transfer prediction proven true amid James Maddison links
Newcastle owners' special guest gets glimpse of future with Amanda Staveley and Dan Ashworth
