Tottenham transfer exclusive: Immediate enquiry made for Man City attacker after James Maddison injury blow

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an immediate enquiry for Manchester City's Jack Grealish following James Maddison's injury blow, Sports Mole has been told.

The Lilywhites lost Maddison to a severe-looking knee problem in Sunday's 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United in South Korea, as the 28-year-old went down of his own accord late on in the second half.

Maddison appeared distraught as he was stretchered off the field at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and the playmaker was then pictured on crutches heading through the mixed zone after the match.

An official diagnosis on Maddison's injury is yet to arrive, but Spurs boss Thomas Frank told the media that the midfielder's latest issue was on the same knee he hurt towards the end of last season.

The Europa League champions are already missing Dejan Kulusevski due to his own knee problem, leaving Lucas Bergvall and 21-year-old Alfie Devine as Spurs' next best options in the most advanced midfield role.

Spurs make Grealish enquiry as Napoli leapfrogged in transfer race

Now, a source has told Sports Mole that Tottenham have made immediate contact over a move for Man City attacker Grealish in the wake of Maddison's problem.

Serie A champions Napoli were originally said to have been the number one contenders for the former Aston Villa playmaker, but Sports Mole has learned that Antonio Conte's side are no longer the front-runners.

Grealish is only under contract at Man City for another two years, and the Sky Blues are expected to be open to reasonable offers for a loan or permanent exit for the 29-year-old in the current window.

Grealish provided just three goals and five assists in 32 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side in all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign, where he started just seven matches in the Premier League.

The England international has managed a total of 17 goals and 23 assists in 157 matches for the Citizens since his £100m arrival in 2021, a fee that made Grealish the most expensive British transfer at the time.

Would Grealish fit in at Tottenham after Maddison blow?

A penny for Daniel Levy's thoughts right now; had things turned out differently in the Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga, Tottenham could have already had a ready-made Maddison replacement in their ranks.

However, the Nottingham Forest playmaker unexpectedly committed to a new long-term contract at the City Ground after the threat of legal action from the Garibaldi, forcing Spurs to look elsewhere in their search for a new number 10.

Grealish has predominantly occupied the left flank for Man City, but the consensus is that he has been restricted in that role, whereas he ought to enjoy more creative freedom in Frank's engine room.

Despite his lack of output last season, Grealish still ranks in the top 1% of wingers and attacking midfielders for progressive carries over the past year - an average of 7.71 per game - and he is also in the 99th percentile for pass completion with 87.7%.

It is unclear whether Tottenham are pursuing a loan or permanent deal for Grealish, whose wages would not be cheap either, but both he and Mohammed Kudus could soften the blow of potentially losing Maddison for months.