Leicester: Arsenal’s pursuit of James Maddison over – what happened

Arsenal finally drops the idea of pursuing the Leicester City no.10 after several failed attempts. The Gunners are now on the cusp of adding another target.

Mikel Arteta was hellbent on attaining either of his two desired attacking midfielder targets before the summer transfer window concluded. His mindset was simple – Sophie’s choice between Leicester City’s James Maddison and Real Madrid’s Martin Ødegaard, who played a significant part in Arsenal’s campaign last season as a loanee.

The Gunners presented Leicester City with multiple offers, some of which involved player swap plus cash. However, after rejecting the incoming offer for Maddison the season prior, the King Power Club made it clear that their 24-year-old English midfielder’s value was much more to Brendan Rodgers’ plans.

Such a lucrative offer did not arrive, which could have made the East Midlanders consider and ponder over a sale. The reason for that was the astronomical valuation that they spent to land Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion. LCFC was untempted by the player swap deals that the Londoners proposed.

Leicester City didn’t budge

So finally, Arteta and the management had to give up on the aspirations of their English target and shift their focus on the Norwegian target. Sensing the trouble in paradise at Madrid, the Gunners did not waste any time to get serious and push for their choice.

Real Madrid’s new manager Carlo Ancelotti has been vocal about his plans. He is open to letting players leave who he thinks won’t be included in his campaign. Meeting on a similar ground over the same territory, Arsenal has managed an agreement with Los Blancos for a permanent move for Martin Ødegaard.

The Blue Army can now breathe a sigh of relief that their number 10 is going nowhere.

This saga finally concludes with Arsenal failing to get the elusive attacking Foxes’ midfielder with their asking price. Madders is staying where he belongs.