Pundit claims Leicester star can go to ‘next level’ at Arsenal

Will Ford
James Maddison Leicester Arsenal
James Maddison

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell claims James Maddison can go to the “next level” by moving from Leicester to the Gunners.

Maddison has been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks, though the Foxes are said to want as much as £80million for the playmaker.

And with Leicester finishing just below the Champions League places and Arsenal missing out on European football entirely, some – including Gary Lineker – have questioned why he would move in any case.


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Campbell is pleased to see the likes of Maddison linked with his former club and claims he would progress under Mikel Arteta.

But the pundit does admit the price tag could prove to be an issue.

“It’s really exciting to hear he’s on our radar. I like him, I think he is a brilliant player,” Campbell told Football Insider.

“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.”

Another midfield option on Arteta’s radar is Italy star Manuel Locatelli.

Locatelli impressed for Italy at Euro 2020 as he scored twice from his five outings. He was subbed on in extra-time in the final as Roberto Mancini‘s side beat England 3-2 on penalties.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with Arsenal of late. Reliable Italian journalist Ekrem Konur has revealed via Twitter that the Gunners have placed the “best financial offer”, but Locatelli would prefer a move to Juventus.

Elsewhere, Emmanuel Petit has insisted that Arsenal should not rely on Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka too much:

“Albert Sambi Lokonga is young and talented, with a bright future. We have seen so many young players come in at Arsenal, and of course you need that for the future, but what Arsenal need is players with character and a big personality. That is something Arsenal have been missing for ages.

“Arsenal need players who hate to lose games, players who ‘shake the tree’ in the dressing room, who can say things there, who can show fight. They need leaders. They need someone to show the way, to be responsible. I’d urge Arsenal to do that.

“A lot of players bring talent, but on top of that, they bring character and personality – and this is something I want to see back at Arsenal. They need players who can take responsibility on and off the pitch, who can show the rest of the team, ‘This is the way we want to go, and we are all going together’. It’s so important, and I haven’t seen that quality at Arsenal for years.

“Players like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have shown some of those qualities but they’re young and inexperienced, it shouldn’t be their responsibility to take care of the team. They need the protection of other players and to improve year after year and to become the leaders of the team. But for the moment it’s too soon for them, they need experienced players around them.

“It doesn’t matter how many quality players you have, if you don’t create unity, and put spirit and soul into the team, you will never win anything. It’s impossible.”