Jack Grealish cited as Newcastle to trump Tottenham’s offer for big name – ‘they will be there with £55m’
Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Newcastle United have the ability to beat Tottenham in the summer race for Leicester captain James Maddison.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 26-year-old should choose the Magpies as they are a “club on the up”.
Sources told this site on Friday (7 April) that Tottenham have leapfrogged Newcastle and are now in pole position to sign Maddison this summer.
It is believed that Spurs will not slow their pursuit of the England international – even while the club is without a manager.
However, Newcastle currently lead Tottenham in the race to secure Champions League qualification for the 2023-24 season.
Maddison has managed nine goals and six assists across 25 appearances in all competitions this term.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I just feel like Spurs shouldn’t make the same mistake they did with Jack Grealish.
“They tried to save money and get his price down, and they missed out. Maddison is exactly what they need.
“They could change the way they play entirely and go to a 4-3-3. It’d be perfect.
“But they’ll have competition. Newcastle will be there with £55million if Tottenham offer £50million.
They might be in the Champions League, and Tottenham look like they won’t be.
“If I’m Maddison I would choose Newcastle – because Tottenham are shaky, and Newcastle are a club on the up.”
Third-place Newcastle are three points ahead of fifth-place Tottenham with a game in hand.
Maddison will have just 12 months left to run on his contract in June.
In other news, Magpies plotting to sign Premier League star as talks revealed.