The James Maddison clause factored into Newcastle United and Spurs talks as Leicester plot exit strategy

James Maddison is a matter that Newcastle United and Leicester City have already discussed at length

James Maddison, a transfer target for Newcastle United, is anticipated to make progress toward leaving Leicester City this week, but the Foxes are anticipated to drive a hard bargain despite the fact that the 26-year-old has only one year left on his current contract.

Since a big £50 million bid was made last summer, the Magpies have kept tabs on developments involving the England international. At the time, negotiations with his representatives on personal terms fell through because Newcastle decided to focus its attention elsewhere for the remainder of the summer transfer season.

Although Maddison isn’t opposed to go to Manchester United, he has put off talks with his CAA Base agency until later in the summer as he recovers, deals with Leicester’s relegation, and rests. Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur, who has already informed Daniel Levy that the former Norwich player is on his want list, has also expressed a strong interest in the player.

Leicester have already cleared the decks at the King Power Stadium with the release of Youri Tielemans, Çaglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Perez and Tete who were not offered new terms following the drop to the Championship on the final day of the season.

And this week will see the start of Leicester dealing with contracted stars that they are resigned to losing due to their relegation last term. Maddison is at the top of that list alongside another long-term Newcastle target Harvey Barnes. The Foxes will first establish who is willing to pay what is deemed the asking price of over £50million.

One of the factors to come into Maddison’s price tag is the 15 per cent sell-on clause to his old club Norwich. Although, Newcastle felt they offered an extremely fair price last year.

Maddison must then mull over whether Spurs, where he will be looked at as a huge part of Postecoglou’s reboot in the capital, or Newcastle, the other front-runner, will win the race for his signature. Leicester want the situation dealt with sooner rather than later as they look to assemble a team who can challenge for promotion back to the top flight.

Maddison knows he will have familiar faces to welcome him at St James’ Park in the shape of England buddies Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier. And there is the small matter of Champions League football for the attacking midfield star to contemplate.

Leicester remain managerless with director of football Jon Rudkin in charge of the sale process for the relegated Foxes. His counterpart Dan Ashworth was at one of the final games of Leicester’s season when they were beaten by Liverpool at the King Power.

United won’t be pushed into a bidding war or be pushed over their valuation for Maddison on both a transfer fee and personal terms. Eddie Howe has a flexible list of targets and is hoping to make a breakthrough before the first day of pre-season training in early July.

Newcastle also have agents of other clients pushing to offer the Magpies alternatives to Maddison. Leicester are keen for the situation to be resolved sooner rather than later.