Newcastle target James Maddison valued at ‘over £100m’ after Enzo Fernandez deal

Graeme Souness has advised Leicester to accept no less than £100million for Newcastle transfer target James Maddison.

Maddison, 26, has been firmly on the radar of the high-flying Magpies thanks to his electric form. He’s been one of the best players in the Premier League over the past two seasons, and has nine goals and five assists in 17 matches so far this campaign.

With his contract expiring in less than 18 months, he could well be on the move this summer. But Souness believes the Foxes should hold out for a nine-figure sum given Chelsea‘s recent swoop for Enzo Fernandez, which cost a British record fee.

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Speaking after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday (February 19), the Sky Sports pundit said: “He’ll do the hard jobs, he’s an all round top man and I really think it will be hard to hold onto him.

“Over £100million for him. Chelsea spent £110m on Fernandez, you’re buying potential with him, whereas Maddison is a great now player. The hardest thing in football is to get goals, he does that. He gets goals, and he creates.”

What would you argue Maddison is worth? Let us know in the comments section.

Souness also hailed Maddison’s wide-ranging skillset and claimed he has to be a fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England side going forward.

He continued: “I think he’s destined for the biggest stage. I think it’s going to be hard for Leicester to hold onto him. The hardest thing to get in midfield is what he possesses in abundance.

“He’s got a cute pass, he takes the ball in tight areas, he can slip people in and he’s got an eye for a goal. He’s a cheeky chappy as well, I met him briefly in Portugal in the summer and he only bought me one drink, but I like him.

“I was disappointed and it may be because he was injured that he wasn’t in the World Cup, but you have to have him in your team.”

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