Alan Shearer immediately thought about James Maddison’s impending move to Spurs when the Newcastle United legend learned that Bayern Munich had made an opening offer for Harry KaneAlan Shearer has admitted that he would ask for ‘assurances’ that Harry Kane was not leaving Spurs if he was James Maddison.
Maddison is due to undergo a medical at Spurs on Wednesday after the Londoners agreed a fee with Leicester City worth an initial £40m for the England international, who has entered the final year of his contract. Newcastle United made multiple bids for Maddison last summer, but the Magpies did not ultimately rival Spurs’ bid as a move for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali was effectively prioritised.
Although Spurs finished four places below fourth-placed Newcastle last season, Maddison was attracted by the prospect of playing down south and the reality is that Ange Postecoglou’s side can offer higher salaries at a time when Newcastle are still playing catching up off the field. Eddie Howe, himself, admitted last month that ‘we’re not huge payers of wages in the Premier League so the big clubs will all dwarf us’.
Maddison will now become Postecoglou’s first signing, but it remains to be seen if the attacking midfielder will link up with Kane. Spurs are adamant Kane is not for sale, even as he enters the final 12 months of his deal, but the club’s record goal scorer is open to a move to Bayern Munich, who have had a bid of £60m plus add-ons turned down. After learning about Bayern’s offer, Maddison’s impending move was Shearer’s ‘first thought’.
“If I was Maddison, once I’d got personal terms out of the way, the first thing I’d be asking of Tottenham is assurances that Kane isn’t leaving,” he wrote in the Athletic. “Imagine how p—– off you’d be if you’d pictured yourself creating chances for one of the world’s best finishers and, then, bang — he’s gone.”
