Latest setback sees Arsenal ‘pull plug’ on transfer

Joe Williams
James Maddison Arsenal

Arsenal have pulled out of a deal to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison after having their latest offer knocked back, according to reports.

The England international had emerged as one of their key targets in that position and have reportedly had a number of bids rejected for him.

The 24-year-old contributed eight goals and five assists in 31 appearances in the Premier League last campaign as Leicester narrowly missed out on the top four.


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Arsenal have already brought in £77m worth of talent this season in the form of Ben White, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga – but they are still looking to spend.

A report on Tuesday claimed that the Arsenal board are ‘willing to sanction’ three transfers as they are ‘backing the manager to the hilt’.

Mikel Arteta’s side lost their first match of the season against Brentford on Friday night with fans less than impressed with their performance.

The Spaniard will be allowed to bring in the players he wants this summer but one of those signings will not be Leicester’s Maddison.

Football Insider claims that the Gunners have ‘pulled the plug on their pursuit’ of Maddison after growing tired of having ‘multiple bids for the playmaker’ rejected.

Arsenal ‘have now walked away from the transfer and are pursuing alternative targets’ with Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard top of that list.

Football Insider reckon ‘talks are underway over a potential deal that could be worth £40million including add-ons, less than the Spanish giants’ £50m valuation’.

Leicester’s valuation of £70m for Maddison proved to be too much for Arsenal with the Foxes rejecting their latest offer to include Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in a deal.

The Foxes ‘do not want either of them and have made it clear that a cash-only deal is what would tempt them’, ending the Gunners’ interest.

Meanwhile, with Chelsea and Manchester City next up in the Premier League, Arsenal could well find themselves bottom of the pile come the first international break.

Asked after their loss to Brentford if their performance would prompt some activity in the transfer market, Arteta said: “My focus is with the players that we have to try to make them play as best as possible and to get the best out of the team and try to find a way to win football matches, and it’s the same in the next one.”