Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly the favourites to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison in this ongoing summer transfer window.
Spurs are closing in on the signing of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario—new boss Ange Postecoglou’s potential first acquisition of the transfer window. After Vicario’s signing is completed, Postecoglou wants to address his squad’s midfield and defensive unit whilst trying to keep hold of Harry Kane amid interest from Manchester United.
According to The Guardian, Tottenham are leading the race for the signature of James Maddison. Newcastle United have been heavily linked with the Leicester City star in the last 12 months, but there are doubts whether they will be bidding for him after closing in on the signing of AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali.
This would potentially leave the path clear for Tottenham to have a shot at landing James Maddison, who wants to leave Leicester following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. The England international is one of the most creative players in the Premier League and registered 10 goals and nine assists in 30 games during the 2022-23 campaign.
The report adds Spurs are expected to launch a fresh offer for the 26-year-old midfielder, having seen a joint bid for him and Harvey Barnes turned down by Leicester last week.
James Maddison to Tottenham—A good option for Ange Postecoglou?
Tottenham struggled for creativity and flair throughout last season and finished eighth in the table, underperforming under three different managers. With Rodrigo Bentancur out with an ACL injury and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg not exactly known for his creativity, Ange Postecoglou is scouring the market for a creative midfielder as he looks to use a 4-3-3 system in his debut campaign at Spurs.
Postecoglou clearly needs reinforcements in the middle of the park who can create goalscoring opportunities for the forwards and control the tempo of games, and James Maddison, in that regard, would be ideal.
Maddison is a versatile midfielder who can operate as a No.10, eight or off the left as an inside-forward, although he is at his sublime best when playing in the hole behind the striker. He would provide Postecoglou’s side with creativity and flair, thriving as one of the No.8s in a 4-3-3 system. The England international likes to arrive into the box as a late runner where he can unleash his rasping shots at goal. In addition, the ex-Norwich City man is an expert set-piece taker and would help in adding more goals to this Spurs side.
James Maddison has the qualities to flourish as an attacking No.8 under the tutelage of Postecoglou and seems tailor-made for his high-tempo, pressing game. He can score goals, provide assists and create chances, and most importantly, knows the Premier League very well—as demonstrated by his 55 goals and 41 assists in 203 appearances for Leicester. If Kane stays put at the club, Maddison could potentially form a devastating partnership with his compatriot at Spurs.
Spurs have been crying out for a creative midfielder since Christian Eriksen’s departure a few years ago, and there aren’t many in the country better than Maddison in that aspect. Thus, they must go all out for Maddison as he would be a fantastic investment at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
