Ornstein provides update on Maddison to Arsenal rumour

Joe Williams
James Maddison Leicester Arsenal
James Maddison

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison as the reliable Gunners news source David Ornstein thinks they will be priced out of a move this summer.

The Gunners have been actively looking to recruit an attacking midfielder who can fulfill the number ten role void, which Mesut Özil left behind following seven successful years at the club. 

Mikel Arteta opted for a loan deal for Martin Ødegaard from Real Madrid which was positive. The hope was that the Norwegian would be persuaded to stay on a permanent move following the end of his short-term loan but that did not come to fruition with Carlo Ancelotti re-taking over at the Bernabéu.


Cautious optimism at Arsenal summer transfer business


The next option on the agenda is seemingly Maddison who fits the bill perfectly for what they are looking for. Young, Premier League experienced, homegrown, and can score goals from midfield.

Unfortunately for the north Londoners, it seems unrealistic to expect them to be able to get a deal like this over the line.

Ornstein of The Athletic said on Sky Sports News: “James Maddison, that’s not what I can see developing, I think that would be a huge stretch of Arsenal’s finances, and I’m not sure it’s realistic especially with [Emile] Smith Rowe signing a new contract.”

Moving onto Emile Smith Rowe who has just penned a shiny new five-year contract with the club whilst picking up the iconic ‘number 10’ jersey, it shows the faith and belief the Arsenal hierarchy share in the 20-year-old.

Arsenal are very much on the wanting someone to play with Smith Rowe as opposed to replacing him with a new signing. The relationship the Hale End product and Ødegaard built in the short amount of time they played together will be something Arteta will be aiming to replicate in the new season. 

There are other alternatives mentioned that the Premier League side have been linked to such as Houssem Aouar and, of course, it’s important to not forget they already have a goal machine in their ranks in the form of Joe Willock.

Whatever Arsenal decide, they need to make their move quickly with the deadline for the end of the summer window coming very soon.