Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur beaten to 'next Dele Alli' by Norwich City

Highly-rated Coventry City teenager James Maddison opts for move to Norwich City over Spurs and Merseysiders

James Maddison, Coventry City’s young attacking midfielder, has caught the attention of Premier League clubs (Getty Images)

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both missed out on one of the hottest young prospects in English football as Norwich City beat them to the signature of James Maddison.

Maddison, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder, joined Norwich from Coventry City on a three-and-a-half year deal late on transfer deadline day. He is set to return on loan to Coventry for the rest of the season before teaming up with the Canaries again during the summer.

Maddison, the standout player in League One this season, had been attracting interest from Liverpool and Tottenham all season, with Arsenal also monitoring the teenager before deciding against a bid. A technically gifted play-maker, he has been described as ‘the next Dele Alli’. He has scored two goals in 13 appearances for Coventry in an injury-interrupted season.

Alex Neil, the Norwich City manager, said: “We’re delighted to sign James as he is a fantastic prospect who has already made a mark at Coventry at such a young age.

“He has real potential to develop, making this deal one we’re really pleased to get over the line. James will return on loan to Coventry for the rest of the season to continue his development before joining up with us on a full-time basis in the summer.”