Leicester set James Maddison price; Arsenal bid unlikely

Trustworthy outlet The Athletic claims Arsenal have too many aspects of their squad to sort out this summer and therefore a bid for Leicester City’s James Maddison is unlikely.

You could honestly see this move, or wise manoeuvre, coming from the Foxes, couldn’t you?: set a particularly high yet not totally unreasonable valuation for star playmaker James Maddison – then if LCFC keep him, fine. Otherwise, if another club is willing to pay the extortionate amount, Leicester reinvest smartly again and find the next Maddison for a cheaper fee.

And the first of those hypothetical scenarios seems to be playing out live between Arsenal and Leicester. Basically, the North London outfit fancy having ‘Madders’ among their ranks – and why wouldn’t they?: the England international is a fine creator and scorer on his day.

A player also capable of multiple key passes-per-game, when fit as well as focused. You have to admit he is perhaps a Gunners-type. Though that means nothing to the shrewd and ruthless business model of LCFC. As we all witnessed with Riyad Mahrez’s petulant quest to leave after signing a hugely lucrative and lengthy contract – the King Power club won’t sell if they don’t want to! Regardless of perceived ‘player power’, which is nonexistent with regard to the legal binding of their respective deals.

Leicester City price out Arsenal

Leicester are said to have declined a bid in the region of £70 million for their No.10 this time last year; Maddison’s contemporary value has apparently been set at £80m by the east Midlands side’s hierarchy. That figure is quoted by Leicestershire Live.

Meanwhile, trustworthy outlet The Athletic suggests Arsenal are unlikely to bid for their supposed ‘top target’ this off-season. James McNicholas writes that Mikel Arteta will look to improve other areas as a priority during preseason.