Mikel Arteta could sacrifice Arsenal star to pave way for James Maddison move
Arsenal could cash in on Emile Smith Rowe as they weigh up a move for Leicester City star James Maddison this summer.
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The Gunners are set to finish the season in second place after their Premier League title charge fell away in the final weeks, with Manchester City crowned champions on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta is plotting major changes to his squad this summer to ensure they challenge once again next season with the club also set to return to the Champions League for the first time in six years.
Midfield is an area the Gunners boss is eager to strengthen with Granit Xhaka now expected to leave this summer with doubts also emerging over Thomas Partey’s future in north London.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are among Arsenal’s top targets with the Mirror reporting Maddison also remains firmly on the club’s radar.
The report states Arsenal could move on academy graduate Smith Rowe with Maddison possibly viewed as an upgrade on the England Under-21 international.
During Arsenal’s superb season, Smith Rowe has played a bit-part role, missing the first-half of the campaign after undergoing groin surgery.
But with the attacking midfielder fit again, Arteta has seldom turned to him this season.
Smith Rowe has failed to start a league game this term and has featured as an unused substitute in six of Arsenal’s last eight games.
In addition to Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney is another who could leave the club this summer along with defender Rob Holding.
Reiss Nelson meanwhile is out of contract at the end of the season.
Maddison meanwhile is expected to leave the King Power Stadium this summer, regardless of whether Leicester can secure Premier League survival on the final day of the season on Sunday.
The 26-year-old has one year left on his contract with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham also credited with interest.
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