James Maddison is the latest name linked to Newcastle United as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his attacking options. The Magpies are said to have seen a £40 million bid for the England international turned down, with reports suggesting Leicester City are holding out for closer to £60m.
Howe has already landed long-time defensive target Sven Botman, as well as securing permanent deals for Nick Pope and Matt Targett. However, Newcastle have so far been frustrated in their efforts to sign attackers in the summer window.
Moussa Diaby, Anthony Gordon and Jack Harrison are among the wingers recently linked, with Hugo Ekitike and Jesse Lingard securing moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Nottingham Forest respectively. The new season may be only a week away, but there is still plenty of time for Newcastle to make their moves ahead of the deadline on September 1.
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Maddison enjoyed his best season to date at the King Power Stadium, with the playmaker registering 18 goals and 12 assists in an otherwise difficult campaign for Brendan Rodgers' side. But the link to the attacking midfielder has left some Newcastle fans puzzled, with a new striker and a right winger long said to be the priorities in this window.
However, there is no doubt the 25-year-old would provide a much needed injection of creativity into a side in need of strengthening in the final third. Here is a look at three ways Eddie Howe could utilise Maddison in his Newcastle line-up in the coming season should the Magpies agreed a deal for the Leicester star.
Central midfield
Howe settled on a 4-3-3 formation as the Magpies enjoyed a remarkable turnaround following Christmas to pull comfortably clear of relegation danger. Once an area of weakness, Newcastle's midfield became a source of strength with the January arrival of Bruno Guimaraes and the improvements seen in the likes of Joelinton and Jonjo Shelvey.
Howe preferred to name Shelvey as the deep-lying midfielder alongside two 'number eights', although this was at times changed to provide the defence with greater security. It seems likely that this will be a formation that the Newcastle boss will continue with, and it is a system Maddison is already more than familiar with.
The playmaker has proven to be a versatile option for Rodgers in recent seasons, but has often been paired with Youri Tielemans in a more advanced role ahead of Wilfried Ndidi. Maddison could slot into a central role in a 4-3-3 formation, although it would still leave Newcastle short up top and without a standout option on the right flank.
Central attacking midfield
Slowly but surely, Howe is keen to transition Newcastle from a counter-attacking outfit into a team which looks to dominate possession and play on the front-foot. The potential addition of Maddison could lead the former Bournemouth boss to consider a minor tweak to the system which made Newcastle so robust out of possession.
The attacking midfielder could be handed licence to roam in a 'number 10' role which seems a more natural fit, despite his commitment to his defensive duties under Rodgers. Maddison's obvious strengths lie on the half-turn and finding space between the lines, which could make a 4-2-3-1 system an option against weaker sides.
Howe has a number of midfielders at his disposal who could be paired together to provide the required platform for the playmaker to shine. However, there could be an understandable reluctance to move away from a midfield system which has delivered consistent results in recent months.
Right wing
There is an obvious vacancy on the right flank which Howe is said to be keen to fill before the window closes next month. Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson are likely guaranteed starters, which leaves one space in attack to fill.
Ryan Fraser was the preferred starter for much of last season until he picked up an injury, while Miguel Almiron has shone in pre-season having previously been considered a likely summer departure. Elliot Anderson has also emerged as an outside bet for the role, following an impressive loan spell at Bristol Rovers and his form in friendlies so far.
Maddison has often been used in a wide role under Rodgers in order to accommodate other Foxes' attackers, with the attacking midfielder often given the freedom to drift infield. While not ticking the box of a traditional winger, it could be a solution that would allow Howe to get the best out of the midfielder while affording Kieran Trippier the space to deliver in the final third.
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