Newcastle United are hoping that Leicester City factor in the fact that James Maddison has just one year left on his current deal with the Foxes.
United's conversation with Leicester remains open but Tottenham Hotspur also remain in the mix for Maddison. When United failed with a £50million bid last summer, there was a suggestion that Maddison could still win a new deal at the King Power Stadium.
But Leicester's relegation to the Championship has made it a tricky deal to do for the Foxes as they look to cash in to make up for the loss of Premier League prize money next season. The 15% sell on fee to Norwich City is also ramping up the price for Maddison but the valuation is steep for a player who has 12 months left on his existing deal and can leave for free next summer.
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As things stand it looks like Leicester will continue to hold out for a fee of £60million which Newcastle have not bit at so far. Spurs failed with a paltry £50million bid for both Maddison and Barnes last week.
However. despite having long-term interest from the likes of Arsenal, so far Newcastle and Spurs seem to be the only ones around the table for Maddison at this stage. Eddie Howe is keen on Maddison, hence last summer's bid, but Newcastle have their price for the player.
Maddison was asked about his future last week and said: "It’s a pause and put the blinkers on and focus on the job at hand. It was a tough end to the season but the positive about the games with England after having a little bit of a break between the last game of the Premier League season and now, it was good to refocus on these games, if it was straight away it would have been more difficult. I am fully focused on tonight and raring to go."
