Dan Ashworth 'leading race' to sign £60m man ahead of Tottenham - talkSPORT

According to talkSPORT, sporting director Dan Ashworth is in poll position to bring James Maddison to St James' Park this summer.

Alex Crook - the chief football correspondent at talkSPORT - reports that the former Brighton chief spearheaded our pursuit of the attacking midfielder last summer and remains determined to sign the England international.

Spurs are expected to provide competition, but it's believed Newcastle are currently 'leading the race', with the club 'ready to cash in' on Leicester's financial troubles after they recently announced financial losses of £92m.

We had bids of £40m and £50m rejected for the 26-year-old last year, with the Foxes said to be holding out for £60m - a fee we were clearly unwilling to pay for a player who was, at the time, approaching the final 18 months of his deal.

Since then, Maddison has bagged nine goals and five assists in 18 Premier League appearances; impressive numbers for a 15th-placed Leicester side who've struggled to get going all season.

We're crying out for a player of his quality in the final third, so let's hope we're in a stronger position than Spurs - who currently sit fourth - when the summer transfer window opens.