EXCLUSIVE: Postecoglou key as Maddison leans towards Spurs move

Steve Kay

• 19 Jun 2023 16:10 BST
• 3 min read

James Maddison is leaning towards a move to Tottenham Hotspur, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Although Newcastle were long considered the favourites to land the Leicester City star, sources have informed us that new Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou has made a good impression on Maddison's camp.

The fact that the Australian manager and the attacking midfielder share the same agency, London-based CAA Base - who also advise Spurs players Son Heung-min, Richarlison and Pedro Porro - is a key factor in the talks, we are told.

Indeed, conversations between Maddison's representatives and Postecoglou started almost immediately after the latter was confirmed as the north London club's head coach.

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Nothing is, of course, done at this point. Maddison himself is yet to have any contact with Tottenham, but the fact that Postecoglou has come across really well will be crucial in his decision, we hear.

Moreover, there's another person that could tip the balance in Spurs' favour: Harry Kane. Given Daniel Levy's desire to keep the England star around and play hardball in any negotiations, there is a big possibility that the 29-year-old will stay put for another season - whether he wants to or not.

Maddison is said to be a big admirer of Kane and the prospect of playing with him at the club level is attractive to the attacking midfielder.

It needs to be said that Newcastle remain in the running. Yet recent reports elsewhere suggest that they appear to be focusing on different targets, which could play into Spurs' hands as well.

All of the above considered, it's fair to say that Postecoglou's side are the new favourites to land Maddison.

Maddison at Leicester

It was obvious that Leicester would find it all but impossible to keep hold of their high-profile players following their relegation to the Championship. Youri Tielemans has already found a new club, and Maddison could well be next in line.

Despite the Foxes' struggles last term, the 26-year-old hit a solid 10 goals and nine assists in 30 Premier League fixtures, adding to his impressive tally of 12 goals and eight assists the season before last.

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Unsurprisingly, then, the former Norwich man has become a sought-after commodity in recent years, and Spurs fans have every right to get excited about this potential signing.