Arsenal may soon be lured into transfer action with Leicester City reportedly weighing up whether to cash in on James Maddison this summer. The 25-year-old will then have just two years left to run on his contract at the King Power Stadium, meaning it may be one of the Foxes’ last opportunities to receive a bumper transfer fee.
Leicester’s historic reluctance to let go of Maddison has not stopped Arsenal holding a long-term interest in the creative midfielder. He was believed to be on their radar last summer before the Gunners instead opted for Real Madrid star Martin Odegaard.
A spanner could yet be thrown in the works, however, as The Daily Mail claim that Leicester are now mulling over the prospect of letting him go. Manager Brendan Rodgers is supposedly keen on a new centre-back, midfielder and forward after following up last season’s Champions League near-miss with a disappointing mid-table campaign.
The Foxes reportedly believe that they can raise £50million worth of transfer funds by moving him on, which is less than the standard quoted price over the past few seasons.
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If the Gunners are tempted into making enquiries about Maddison, it may be with a view to improving the depth of their squad rather than making the Coventry City academy product a nailed-on starter. Splashing that much cash on a depth option may only be feasible if they hold onto fourth spot and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Maddison could be the second major exit from the King Power this summer with classy midfielder Youri Tielemans rumoured to be eyeing up a new challenge. The Belgian has one year left on his deal and has, so far, refused to lock down his future in the Midlands with Arsenal and Manchester United both supposedly interested.
“[Tielemans] is at an age and at a stage in his contract where he has to ensure he looks at every option,” admitted Rodgers earlier this year, “I would love it to be here at Leicester, that is natural, but I understand it’s a very short career.
“For players it’s about ambition, the challenge and sometimes it’s about a different environment. We have seen it before many times.”
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