AFTER a quiet number of weeks in the transfer market, Newcastle United are pushing Leicester City in their pursuit for England midfielder James Maddison.

Following a rejected bid for the 25-year-old last week, club officials have been renegotiating a potential deal with the Foxes this week. Reports suggest that a second bid in the region of around £45 million has been rejected by Leicester.

The Magpies are weighing up their options but are expected to continue talks with the Foxes throughout the week in the hope that a deal can be struck.

Maddison was a key part of Brendan Rodgers side last season scoring 18 goals and making 12 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions to help the Foxes to an eighth place finish in the Premier League and a place in the semi final of the Europa Conference League.

Eddie Howe is keen to see movement in the transfer market with a winger or an attacking midfielder high on the club's list of priorities.

Newcastle have increased spending power after last season's takeover but despite being heavily backed financially, they are wary of breaking any Financial Fair Play rules to bring a potential target to the club but are also not willing to be held to ransom by other clubs with over inflated prices for targets.

In recent weeks, the club have been forced to shelve their interest in Leeds United winger Jack Harrison and Bayern Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby due to the demands it would have taken to pry them away from their respective clubs.

Newcastle's business in the transfer market has seen them bring Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Matt Targett to the club on permanent deals. However, the club have now gone over a month without adding to the squad as the first game of the Premier League season against Nottingham Forest approaches.

Their interest in Everton winger Anthony Gordon was quickly dismissed while striker Hugo Ekitike decided on a move to Paris St Germain.