Darren Bent surprised ‘X-Factor’ Premier League star didn’t secure Newcastle United transfer
Darren Bent has admitted that he thought James Maddison would sign for Newcastle United prior to his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
When Leicester City were relegated, it was written in the stars that James Maddison was going to leave.
It was just a case of who would sign the playmaker, with Darren Bent adding that ‘for long periods’ he thought he would join Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, as he told talkSPORT.
Whilst the Champions League side signed a Leicester City player, it was Harvey Barnes instead, with the winger joining as Allan Saint-Maximin left.
There were some question marks over FFP with the Magpies this summer and how much they could push the boat out.
But what is Newcastle’s loss is now Tottenham’s gain because they are sitting top of the Premier League table with James Maddison running the show.
James Maddison at Newcastle?
“James Maddison is another one (signing of the summer),” said Bent. “He is another with the X-Factor.
On other teams not going for him: “All I can think of is that it must be something to do with off the pitch.
“You think to yourself, for that amount of money, £40 million, why are Man City not in for him? Man United? The fact that he ended up at Spurs.
“For long periods, I thought it was going to be Newcastle. They were the ones ‘they are going to get him’. All of sudden, ‘we don’t want to go near him’. But what he has done at Spurs. He has transformed that team. Looks like he is enjoying playing in that team. The role suits him really well. I think he has been top-draw.”
One of the signings of the summer
You are eight games in and you can confidently say that Maddison is one of the signings of the summer already.
During these opening few months, he has scored two and assisted five, including the manner in which he outdone Bukayo Saka during Spurs’ recent draw in the north London derby.
Either way, if Ange Postecoglou’s side are to return to the Champions League this season, then Maddison needs to stay fit throughout the campaign.
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