Ian Wright has told the Kelly and Wrighty show that he thinks Leicester City’s James Maddison was hoping to join Newcastle United this summer.
Newcastle were reportedly interested in bringing Maddison to St James’ Park this summer but a move never materialised.
Howe was keen to bring in midfield reinforcements but the Foxes held firm on their valuation of their player.
And after a lacklustre start to the season for Brendan Rodgers’ men, Wright says the ‘sensational’ Maddison probably wanted to join the Magpies.
Wright thinks Maddison was hoping to join Newcastle
“You look at [Youri] Tielemans, linked and probably wants to leave. Maddison, he wanted to leave – Newcastle,” Wright said.
“It’s about recruitment. They are not signing that player who comes in and has such a massive impact, like [Wesley] Fofana.
“They are not signing a midfield to come through. Hopefully Soumare might be able to do it.
“What’s happened is that the players who are there who can inspire good players who come in, they want to leave.
“So it’s really a catch 22 for them. They’re so close but it’s not happening so they’re like I can leave now.”
Maddison was also linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur over the summer but the North London club seemingly didn’t firm up any interest.
But Newcastle apparently tabled two bids for the 25-year-old, only to see them knocked back.
You could see why Maddison may have wanted to swap Leicester for Newcastle this summer, especially after the way both teams have started the season.
Eddie Howe’s men look to be a side on the up after securing big signings like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes over the past nine months.
And Leicester look to be in decline after an underwhelming summer window.
But with just under two years left on his current contract, Maddison could become an attractive option for big clubs over the next two transfer windows.