According to a recent report by the Daily Mail, Arsenal have enquired about Leicester City playmaker James Maddison. However, the same source has also claimed that the Foxes are looking for a fee in the region of £60m, a figure which the Gunners cannot afford to match following their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea in the UEFA Europa League final.
Unai Emery’s side won’t play Champions League football next season which means that their summer transfer budget has taken a significant hit. The Daily Mail has also revealed that Arsenal’s transfer kitty could be £45m for this summer window. Thus, players like Maddison could be out of their price range unless Emery can find another way to convince Leicester to allow him to leave in this offseason.
Maddison’s Majestic Debut Season In The Premier League
Maddison has enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign at the King Power Stadium as he put in some memorable performances for the West Midlands outfit during the recently concluded Premier League campaign.
The Coventry-born prospect has made 38 appearances for the Foxes this term, registering seven goals while creating seven assists in all competitions. The 22-year-old is currently an integral member of England’s Under-21 team and has the potential to play for Gareth Southgate’s senior team in the coming years.
What Will The English Midfielder Add To Emery’s Team?
Maddison has decent pace under his belt which enables him to run with the ball at high speed in the opposition half. The former Coventry City youngster’s biggest strength is his ability to make plays for others around him in the attacking third of the field. Furthermore, he can also score goals from long range as his shots tend to pack a lot of power and are usually quite accurate.
Maddison’s Signing: The Right Choice For Emery?
The acquisition of a playmaker like Maddison is precisely what the doctor ordered at the Emirates Stadium after this season’s disappointment across all competitions. He will undoubtedly improve Emery’s midfield options at the North London club. The ex-Norwich City midfield ace will not only add more quality to Arsenal’s midfield but will also increase competition for places within Emery’s squad.
At 22, the English prospect is about to embark upon the best years of his career which the Gunners could look to benefit from over the next few seasons. Thus, Emery should try everything in his power to get a deal done for Maddison. Maybe even offloading Mesut Ozil if required to facilitate funds for this transfer.
