Newcastle United will 'definitely be keeping an eye on' James Maddison even though Leicester City are unlikely to be willing to sanction a move to St James' Park in January, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Magpies smashed a club-record when they forked out £63million to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad during the closing stages of the summer window, but they were unable to get a deal for Maddison over the line.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Maddison?
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle will make the acquisition of Maddison their number one priority in January.
The report suggests the Magpies are hopeful of being able to prise the one-cap England international away from Leicester and the recruitment of an attacking midfielder is top of head coach Eddie Howe's list ahead of the winter window.
Newcastle attempted to lure Maddison to St James' Park before the season got underway but failed with two bids worth up to £50million as his current employers value him at £60million.
However, the Tynesiders have not been the only Premier League club courting the 25-year-old in recent months as it is understood that Tottenham Hotspur were seriously considering testing Leicester's resolve during the summer.
Maddison has entered the final two years of his contract, which is worth £110,000-per-week, at the King Power Stadium.
What has Dean Jones said about Maddison?
Jones believes that Newcastle's interest in Maddison is not going away and he has refused to rule out the possibility of the Magpies returning to the negotiating table when the transfer window reopens.
However, with Leicester struggling for points and at the wrong end of the Premier League table, the journalist has doubts as to whether the Foxes would accept a mid-season bid.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "They'll definitely be keeping an eye on it, but Leicester's situation will determine whether he becomes available.
"It's hard to imagine that they're going to let anyone leave halfway through a season when they're fighting for their Premier League status.
"They've already had players ripped out and they're struggling to bounce back from that."
Would Maddison be a good signing for Newcastle?
Although Leicester have made a woeful start to the season, Maddison has already racked up three goal contributions, which underlines the fact he is a productive playmaker.
The former Norwich City man boasts Premier League experience, having made close to 140 appearances in the competition, and found the back of the net 35 times along the way.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Danny Murphy described Maddison as a 'super talent' who 'has all of the qualities needed to play Champions League and international football', so it is clear that Newcastle would be pulling off a shrewd piece of business if they managed to strike a deal with Leicester in January.