Newcastle to continue talks over James Maddison but will not pay Leicester’s £60m asking price

Newcastle want to maintain talks with Leicester over a deal for James Maddison after seeing a structured bid of £35million rejected last week.

We understand the Magpies will continue negotiations in the coming days and hope that a compromise on price can be agreed.

They will not go close to the £60m asking price that has been mooted over the weekend and sources say a deal for the 25-year-old is likely to prove difficult to complete.

Leicester City want £60m for James Maddison, but Newcastle United’s opening bid was £35m 

However, Newcastle have been given some encouragement that Maddison would be keen on a move and have not given up on the midfielder.

They are aware of Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Sunday, when the Leicester boss said: ‘He’s still very much a player here. Naturally, the players are sought after because they are talents.

‘You see his performance, you see how happy he is and he’s not a player we want to sell. It’s not for me to put valuations on the players, it’s not my side, but that might just cover three-quarters of his left leg, that price. He’s a top player.’

Brendan Rodgers called Maddison ‘a top player’ over the weekend, and hopes to keep him

Newcastle have a limited budget this summer because of spending rules and any deal for Maddison would have to be structured with the promise of future payments and add-ons.

They are also interested in Burnley winger Maxwel Cornet but are reluctant to pay the entirety of his £17.5m release clause in one sum.

Eddie Howe is an admirer of both Maddison and Cornet, although it seems the former is the priority for the time being.