Newcastle United are targeting summer moves for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison and Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.
James Maddison, 26, has been Leicester City’s standout performer this season with nine goals and five assists in 20 games across all formats. The England international has been a long-term target for Newcastle United, and they will return to Leicester in the summer with revived interest after two bids were rejected for the playmaker during the January transfer window.
The 26-year-old has a contract at the King Power Stadium until 2024, however, he is in no rush to pen new terms with the Foxes. The Midlands club have stepped up their efforts to renew Maddison‘s deal in recent weeks but it is believed that they will not hesitate to cash in on him should a new contract become unachievable.
Newcastle’s talented midfield unit was weakened in January following the departure of Jonjo Shelvey to Nottingham Forest, and manager Eddie Howe is aware of his side’s lack of depth in that position. Howe is also a big admirer of Scott McTominay and has been keeping tabs on his situation at Man United.
McTominay, 26, has fallen behind the likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Fred in the midfield pecking order at Old Trafford, yet, he has managed to make 28 appearances across all competitions. Man United boss Erik ten Hag will move into the next part of his squad rebuild in the summer and has made Frenkie de Jong his midfield priority. And one of the players reportedly set to be put up for sale at the end of the season is McTominay.
Newcastle also planning to tie Bruno Guimaraes to a new deal
Bruno Guimaraes has been one of Newcastle’s best players since manager Eddie Howe began to turn the club’s fortunes around last season – following the Saudi Arabian takeover. He has played a pivotal role in the Magpies’ chase for Champions League positions this term, registering three goals and as many assists in 18 Premier League games.
The central midfielder, who was part of the Brazil squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is a target for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. To stave off interest from Man City and other top European clubs, Newcastle United are planning to tie Bruno Guimaraes to a new contract.
He has a contract at the club until June 2026 and the Toon Army remain confident that they will eventually be able to agree a lucrative new deal with the midfielder. The Brazil international is already believed to be happy with life on Tyneside and would be in no rush to join another club, even if Newcastle miss out on Champions League football next season.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.