Tottenham may have James Maddison transfer advantage thanks to Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham could hold a crucial advantage over Newcastle in the race to sign James Maddison as the Leicester playmaker shares the same agency as boss Ange Postecoglou. The England international creator has emerged as one of Spurs’ top summer targets and there is certainly extra scope to get the deal done following Leicester’s relegation to the Championship last season.

Maddison is valued at upwards of £50million and the Foxes will be keen to maximise any return on the player as they target an immediate return to the Premier League.

On paper, Newcastle would have the upper hand in the race for the 26-year-old as they can offer Champions League football next season.

However, Maddison is represented by CAA Base, who also happen to have new Spurs boss Postecoglou on their books.

CAA Base will have worked as the middle men when Spurs successfully pursued the former Celtic boss before striking an agreement over compensation.

Tottenham are already understood to have registered their interest in signing Maddison, who is of long term admiration and now they will have to move quickly to beat Newcastle to the punch.

There had been suggestions that Spurs had launched a joint £50m bid for both Maddison and Harvey Barnes but those claims have been dismissed by Tottenham sources.

Yet those close to the club have relayed that there is concrete interest in the Leicester duo who could lead a mass exodus at the King Power Stadium.

It seems virtually out of the question that Maddison will remain with the Foxes in the Championship and we could see movement following the conclusion of the international break.

Maddison has just one year remaining on his current Leicester deal which could help Tottenham’s cause in their quest to secure the best possible deal.

Postecoglou is said to be a big fan of the player who could provide Spurs with some much-needed creativity and vision.

At times Tottenham looked starved of ideas and invention last season due to Antonio Conte’s rigid system.

Yet Newcastle are also angling for a No.10 which is among their priorities within the summer market alongside a defensive midfielder.

Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier have reportedly talked up a move to Newcastle during talks with Maddison while away on international duty in recent months.

Wilson posted a picture with the playmaker on Instagram earlier this week, writing: “Newcastle is this way.”

Speaking back in March the Magpies frontman made it clear how highly he rates his international team-mate as he tipped him for a big move.

He said on The Footballer’s Football Podcast: “I just feel that he is a top player and eventually he’ll move on and go to a bigger club because I think he deserves that opportunity. Especially after how long he’s been there and what he’s given the club since he’s been there.”