Tottenham Hotspur could sign the perfect alternative for James Maddison this summer in a player who is outperforming almost all of Europe this season.
The Lilywhites have enjoyed a much improved season under Ange Postecoglou following a dismal 2022/23 under Antonio Conte.
But that is not to say it has been a flawless season with a number of results highlighting the work still needing to be done over the summer transfer window.
Tottenham were embarrassed again on Tyneside over the weekend with all aspects of their game able to be picked at.
One player who has shown some concerning form over recent months is the summer signing James Maddison.
The £40m signing from Leicester City looked to be an instant upgrade at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after being awarded the August Player of the Month in the Premier League.
In his opening nine games this season, Maddison was able to return a total of eight goal contributions.
However, since then, he has only been able to offer Spurs three goal involvements since the middle of October.
Statistics via Transfermarkt.
Of course, he had a number months sidelined as a result of his ankle injury, but he really has struggled to find his rhythm thince returning in January.
Tottenham eyeing £45m signing who Maddison knows very well
According to reports, Tottenham have their eyes on Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who the Foxes have valued at £45m.
What will be interesting to see is whether Leicester may need to reduce their asking price if they do not earn promotion this season.
The midfielder has shone in the English second-tier this season after Leicester’s relegation last term where he’s returned 12 goals and 13 assists.
On top of the goals, the 25-year-old’s displays have dazzled as his numbers have surpassed most midfielders across Europe.
Statistics via FBRef.
Of course, it has to be caveated by Dewsbury-Hall playing for one of the dominant sides in the Championship and not the Premier League.
He does have experience of playing in the top flight so there is some knowledge of how he can perform at the top level.
But these types of contributions would certainly be a welcome addition to the Spurs side at the moment with Tottenham really struggling for creativity in attack.
His former manager Brendan Rodgers previously waxed lyrical about the midfielder during their time together in the Premier League.
“It is a real joy as a coach and a manager to see a young player come through the system here over many years and then score his first goal at his home stadium in front of his home supporters that he has dreamt of doing all his life,” he told BBC Sport back in 2022.
“What’s very important for him is to keep proving his point and he needs to find consistency. He has certainly done that since he has come into the team and he’s been a revelation for us.”
Giovani Lo Celso told he can leave with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the radar
With the 25-year-old said to be a target for Spurs, it is worth mentioning that no one has been able to uproot Maddison from the starting XI yet.
Perhaps this comes as the expectation is now for Giovani Lo Celso to leave the club over the summer.
Postecoglou has even admitted in a recent press conference that the Argentine is free to leave if he feels he needs more regular football.
Given the Argentine has not posed much of a threat to Maddison’s spot in the starting XI, the Englishman has had a fairly easy ride despite his recent form.
But Spurs need someone to push the 27-year-old for his spot as his current form is simply not providing Tottenham with the spark they need in attack.
