Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
James Maddison future
Newcastle United know that it's now or never when it comes to bringing James Maddison to St James' Park.
They thought they'd clinched a deal last summer when putting in a £50million bid for the England international but the deal didn't go through after talks with his agent once it got to further discussions. Maddison has been filled in on life at Newcastle thanks to the likes of England pals Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier but there are other teams interested in signing him as he prepares to leave Leicester, the club that put him on the map.
It would appear that Tottenham Hotspur are Newcastle's biggest rivals for Maddison and the London club also hold an interest in another player United have scouted in Harvey Barnes. Whether the Magpies would get themselves in a bidding war for Maddison remains to be seen but it feels unlikely they would grapple with Spurs because Eddie Howe does have other options.
READ MORE: Newcastle United reveal eight impressive upgrades to revamped training centre
Maddison is 27 later this year and a big move to somewhere other than Newcastle would almost certainly see the Magpies move on to other targets. Newcastle are moving to the Champions League level now and the calibre of player in the next few years is only going to increase, so this could be Maddison's one chance to join.
FULL STORY FROM LEE RYDER HERE
Szoboszlai transfer hint
Newcastle United transfer target Dominik Szoboszlai continues to tease a summer exit from RB Leipzig as suitors circle for the midfielder's signature. The Hungary captain has excelled in the Bundesliga in recent seasons and is widely expected to depart the Red Bull Arena before the end of the upcoming transfer window.
Newcastle are one of many clubs linked with Szoboszlai as Eddie Howe targets 'elite' signings for his St James' Park dressing room. A price tag of £70m has been mooted for the 22-year-old's signature, a fee that would represent a hefty chunk of Howe's budget.
Szoboszlai was quizzed over his future this week and once again refused to commit his future to Leipzig, while simultaneously admitting he doesn't want to look back on his career with regrets. "If I can now take a step towards the five or six best clubs in Europe, should I say no to this challenge? I've never been like that," Szoboszlai told Index.hu.
"I am in a very good position because I play for a fantastic club. But I don't want to look back on my career in fifteen years as if I didn't make the most of it.
"My whole career so far has been about building and getting to the next level. You can fall from the heights and it's rare that you get one chance at the highest level of football, let alone two. All options have to be considered."
Ian Wright backs move
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright says a move to Newcastle United should be the next step in James Maddison's career following on from Leicester City's relegation. The Magpies have been repeatedly linked with the Foxes' playmaker, having seen a number of bids rebuffed last summer.
The Toon are expected to go back to the Foxes in an attempt to sign the England international, with Maddison tipped for an exit. The 26-year-old was the standout performer in a dismal campaign for the former Premier League and FA Cup champions but is unlikely to stay following their relegation.
Speaking on Wrighty’s House, the Arsenal legend said: "[James] Maddison - going to a place like Newcastle, with his energy, he goes somewhere else because that is what’s he about. He’s about those fans and entertainment.
"You look at him with his talent and you can see that when you put him in a team with a front man with great movement. The passes that Maddison will find him with, because he’s so talented.
“I’d love to see him in a team that can transition. You can see someone like him, he can lead the transitional part and he can play out in the right team.
“You can see him at Newcastle, you can see him with a young Harry Kane and Son [Heung-min]. That’s the kind of people he needs to be around.”
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