James Maddison admits the summer transfer speculation over a move to Newcastle United has been the source of 'banter' within England's World Cup squad. The Leicester City playmaker is also enjoying a back and forth with Magpies trio Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, and Callum Wilson ahead of the Boxing Day clash between the sides.
Newcastle had two bids turned down for Maddison in the summer, and could be tempted to revive their interest in January. The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a fine start to the season, and earned his first international call-up in three years to book his spot in the Three Lions squad in Qatar.
Maddison is set to enter the final 18 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium, with reports suggesting Leicester will resist any mid-season interest in the 26-year-old. This resolve could again be tested by Newcastle, with Eddie Howe said to be keen to bolster his attacking options.
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Maddison was asked about the banter with Wilson by England team-mate Conor Coady, and for a prediction for the Boxing Day match. The one-cap international acknowledged the summer speculation, before unsurprisingly backing Leicester to become only the second team to beat the Magpies this term.
He told the Lions' Den: "To be fair, me, Cal, Tripps, and Popey have been having a bit of banter. It's three on one with the Newcastle boys.
"We've been having a bit of banter about the Boxing Day game coming up, and obviously there was a bit of speculation last summer. It's been good fun, banter as you'd expect with the lads.
"I think the Foxes are going to come out on top on Boxing Day. I've been saying that all week, it's obviously three on one. Newcastle are in good form to be fair. There's been a bit of banter, but I think the Foxes are going to come out on top. Callum Wilson is sure he's going to score, but I think he'll have to have a quiet day."
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