Aston Villa have been urged to join the race for in-demand Leicester City attacker James Maddison.
England ace Maddison, 26, is the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United – albeit neither team has met Leicester’s £60million asking price. Tottenham’s opening offer for Maddison is expected to be around the £30m mark.
Spurs have reportedly taken the lead in the race for Maddison after Newcastle edged closer to the £55m signing of Italy international Sandro Tonali from AC Milan. The Magpies might not be able to do another huge deal in this window after going all out for Tonali.
Villa legend Gary Shaw believes Unai Emery should make a move for Maddison, whom he likens to Jack Grealish. Shaw told The Sun: “I’d love to see Villa get in first and have a real go for Maddison.
“We’re in the same bracket as Spurs and Newcastle, looking to strengthen and challenge for a Champions League spot in the new season. Maddison would be a brilliant addition – he’s the kind of flair player Villa fans have been longing for since Jack Grealish left for Manchester City.
“Even in a season when he’s been hit by injury, and his club was relegated, Maddison’s personal form was really good. He’s a current England international, he’s from the Midlands so why shouldn’t Villa go out and get him?”
“Tielemans is a useful signing – and I wouldn’t mind if he had a word and invited his mate Maddison to come and join him at Villa.There is no way an England international is going to want to be in the Championship.
“Villa’s owners have serious dough and they’ve saved on a big transfer fee for Tielemans, so why not use that money to push out the boat and get Maddison? We can offer him European football next season, which Spurs can’t.”
Maddison recorded 10 goals and nine assists in 30 Premier League appearances last season. Since moving to Leicester in 2018, Maddison has managed 43 goals and 32 assists in the Premier League.
