Arsenal join London rival in part-exchange Maddison bids
Arsenal, along with another London club, have reportedly made a player-plus-cash offer for Leicester midfielder James Maddison.
A source close to Maddison told football.london that the playmaker is ‘top of the list’ for Mikel Arteta and Edu in the summer transfer window.
With Martin Odegaard likely to remain in Real Madrid after a successful loan spell at the Gunners last season, Arteta is keen to add creativity to his midfield.
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The problem for Arsenal is Leicester’s asking price for the former Norwich man, thought to be close to £70million.
But the report claims Arsenal are now looking to offer a player as a potential makeweight in the deal.
It’s not clear who that player might be, but it’s thought academy products Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah would all be available for transfer this summer.
It’s also not clear – and it was something of a throwaway first line in the article – which other London club have made a similar offer. It’s not mentioned again.
Many people – including former Leicester striker Gary Lineker – have said moving to Arsenal would be a “backwards step for Maddison, with the Foxes once again making solid additions in the transfer window to further stake their claim for Champions League qualification.
But Kevin Campbell believes the 24-year-old can go to the “next level” under Arteta at the Emirates, and is pleased to see a player of Maddison’s calibre being linked with his former club.
Campbell said: “It’s really exciting to hear he’s on our radar. I like him, I think he is a brilliant player.
“He is still just 24 so he is a good age. He is a young, talented player. If he comes to Arsenal I believe he can go to that next level.
“The sticking point will be the fee though because I believe Leicester are asking for crazy money at the moment.
“I know he is a very good player but £70million quid is a lot of money. It will be very interesting to see if Arsenal can get that price down a bit.”