James Maddison has been a priority target for new head coach Ange Postecoglou – Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Leicester City’s James Maddison in an initial £40 million deal.
Maddison passed a medical on Wednesday and becomes the first major signing for new Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou.
As reported by Telegraph Sport on Monday, Tottenham stepped up their interest this week and after 48 hours of intense negotiations struck a deal with relegated Leicester for the England international.
It is understood the fee will be a guaranteed £40 million with the promise of further instalments on appearances and achievements. Leicester had been initially seeking £60 million for Maddison, who had one year left on his contract, but softened their stance as they did not want a transfer saga damaging their preparations for the Championship season under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Tottenham were also mindful of rival interest, most notably from Newcastle United, and ramped up negotiations last weekend in an attempt to push through the deal.
Maddison is understood to have signed a contract worth around £170,000 a week – his deal at Leicester was due to receive a 50 per cent reduction following the club’s drop out of the Premier League.
The 26-year-old returned from a short holiday in Ibiza this week and will now undergo medical tests at Tottenham’s training ground. Signed for a total £25 million from Norwich City in June 2018, his former club will also receive 15 per cent of any profit from the fee.
Despite a disappointing final season, Maddison proved an excellent signing for Leicester and was part of the team who won the FA Cup in 2021.
The attacking midfielder was also promoted to the England senior team and was a member of Gareth Southgate’s squad at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
The move for Maddison follows the first completed signing of the Postecoglou era after the club announced on Tuesday the arrival of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli for around £16 million, with the 26-year-old signing a deal that will run until 2028.
Leicester are ramping up their preparations for the Championship and Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks completed a medical on Wednesday ahead of a £10 million move. Winks, an England international, has been cleared to leave as he has one year left on his contract.
Leicester have also agreed a £7.5 million fee with Wolves for defender Conor Coady, who will have a medical on Thursday. Joel Piroe, the Swansea City forward, is another target who Leicester are also hopeful of signing.
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