NEWCASTLE UNITED have ended their interest in James Maddison, with the England international undergoing a medical at Tottenham.

The Magpies held a number of discussions over Maddison earlier this summer, and were previously interested in signing the 26-year-old from Leicester following the Foxes' relegation from the top-flight.

However, Newcastle's stance shifted earlier this month for two key reasons. First, their successful pursuit of Sandro Tonali has seen them commit to a package worth around €70m for the AC Milan midfielder and agree to a wage package that makes the Italian their highest-paid player.

Their outlay on Tonali is more than they had initially envisaged paying, and while their recruitment team feels the financial commitment is worthwhile given the 23-year-old's ability, age and development potential, it has forced them to reassess their budget and priorities for the remainder of the window.

There is still a desire to sign a new attacking-midfielder, but as their interest in Maddison developed, so it became clear that his preference was for a move to London rather than a switch to the North-East.

Once Tottenham solidified their own interest with a formal offer, it became clear that there would be very little chance to negotiate down either Leicester's asking price or Maddison's wage demands.

As a result, it was decided that Newcastle would focus their attention elsewhere, with RB Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai still a leading target.

As was the case with Maddison, Newcastle officials have held preliminary discussions over Szoboszlai with the hierarchy at RB Leipzig.

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Unlike with the Maddison talks, however, there is a feeling that there is scope for negotiations over both the fee that Leipzig would demand for his services and the wages that would be required to lure the 22-year-old to St James' Park.

Szoboszlai has a £60m release clause as part of his Leipzig contract, although there is some uncertainty over exactly when that clause is due to lapse.

The Hungarian skipper made 44 appearances for Leipzig last season, scoring ten goals and supplying 14 assists as his side finished third in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool have also held talks with Leipzig officials over Szoboszlai, although at this stage, the Anfield club's discussions are not as far advanced as Newcastle's.

Maddison's Spurs move involves an initial fee of £40m, plus add-ons, with the midfielder already having agreed the personal terms of the deal.

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His creativity and versatility will boost a Spurs squad that has lacked a player in his mould since Christian Eriksen left in 2020.

Once his medical is completed, Maddison will become new Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou’s third signing following Dejan Kulusevski’s permanent transfer and Tuesday’s arrival of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are in advanced talks with Southampton over the signing of full-back Tino Livramento.

The Magpies are understood to haved offered an initial fee of £15m for Livramento, with significant potential add-ons further down the line.

Southampton are holding out for a bigger intial sum as Chelsea are due a hefty sell-on fee as part of the deal that took the defender to St Mary's in the summer of 2021.