Tottenham are considering presidential transfer move

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: James Maddison of Norwich City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road on October 22, 2017 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: James Maddison of Norwich City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road on October 22, 2017 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham are eyeing James Maddison

Mauricio Pochettino’s club are typically very quiet in January, but Tottenham do have their eye on Norwich City midfielder James Maddison. Adding the 21-year-old attacking midfielder would fit the club’s transfer philosophy perfectly.

Reports from England allege that Spurs have had their eye on Maddison for several years. In fact, Tottenham were eyeing him before he made the move from Coventry City to Norwich in February of 2016. That isn’t surprising given the club’s emphasis on scouting and acquiring young, English talent.

Predictably, Tottenham aren’t the only Premier League side interested in purchasing Maddison. Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester City are all in the mix too. Fortunately for Mauricio Pochettino, his side have a leg up on the competition.

Spurs loaned perhaps their most talented Academy starlet to the Canaries earlier this week. Marcus Edwards’ decision to head to Norwich certainly will soften relations between the two clubs. If you don’t think Daniel Levy will attempt to gain an advantage with Edwards’ loan move, then you don’t know much about Tottenham’s transfer policies.

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There’s also a significant rumour that claims Tottenham would be willing to loan Maddison back to Norwich for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. There’s a lot of merit in that idea from Spurs’ perspective. Maddison wouldn’t play much for Pochettino’s senior squad this season. Allowing him to continue to receive regular playing time at Norwich would be best for his development. It might also help him forge a bond with Edwards that could prove beneficial for years to come.

Even if he’s loaned back to Norwich, he’d likely train with Tottenham’s first team multiple times a week. That’s precisely the arrangement the club struck with MK Dons when Dele Alli first made the move to North London.

Maddison’s addition to the pipeline of young English talent at Tottenham would also fill a significant grap for Spurs. The club don’t currently have a central attacking midfielder in their Academy who seems close to making a first team impact (I consider Edwards more of a wide player at this point in his career due to his lack of size). Inserting Maddison into the mix would give Pochettino real depth behind Christian Eriksen and Dele.

Next: 5 January moves Spurs should make

Don’t expect Tottenham to break the bank in January, but a move for Maddison checks a lot of boxes for Levy, Pochettino and company. He would be a very sensible purchase for a club that’s trying to pay for a new stadium while still adding talent for the future.