Newcastle have made an improved club-record offer for Leicester City’s James Maddison in the hope that a deal can be agreed this week.
Sources say the second bid is in excess of £40million after a structured package of £35m was rejected last week.
However, it is still some way short of Leicester’s £60m asking price and a compromise would have to be reached if the deal is to progress. The Magpies have been given encouragement that the 25-year-old is interested in a move to Tyneside.
We also understand that Leicester have shown an interest in Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, with Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel set to join Nice.