Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison.
The Gunners, who have bolstered their squad with the signing of left-back Nuno Tavares so far this summer, are on the market for a player to solve their biggest problem from last season – creating chances.
And with Emiliano Buendia joining Aston Villa, coupled with Martin Odegaard confirming he will be staying at Real Madrid, thus ruling out a return to Arsenal, Emile Smith Rowe is currently the only number 10 in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
With that said, the north London outfit appear to be making plans to ease the workload on the 20-year-old.
Hence links to Maddison.
As reported by football.london last month, Arteta is an admirer of Maddison, although, the one major sticking point for Arsenal is Leicester’s demands of over £60million.
Although, according to @TheAFCBell on Twitter, the 24-year-old’s camp are expecting an approach from the Gunners this week.
But in order for Arsenal technical director Edu to seal a deal for Maddison, then the Gunners may have to slightly overpay to bring in the attacking midfielder.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Maddison is currently valued between €50m-€70m (£42.5m-£59m) meaning Arsenal, should they get a deal over the line, might end up paying £1m more than his true transfer value amid talk that Leicester would demand at least £60m.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
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If Arsenal are able to sign Maddison, it would certainly get the seal of approval from Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
“Keep on doing what you’re doing because I love the way you’re playing,” Henry told Maddison during an Instagram live session for PUMA Football. “I like to watch players like you. (Players) that think.
“Thinking is important in the game and there’s one thing we don’t use often, which is our brain.”
“Don’t be scared of having a big ego.”
