Leicester are only expected to consider offers in excess of £ 70 million this summer to attack midfielder James Maddison, who is a player that Arsenal have been interested in.
Maddison has a long-term contract with the Foxes until 2024, which he only signed last summer, which means that Leicester are not under pressure to sell unless the offer is too good to refuse.
Arsenal are in the middle of a big squad overview and 90 minutes revealed in mid-June that two midfielders, a full-back, center-back and goalkeeper are priority positions for the Gunners, with Maddison confirmed to be among their goals then.
Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares have already arrived, with Ben White in the process of completing his move to north London, and several bids for Aaron Ramsdale have also been submitted. If the Ramsdale approach is successful, spending on these four could reach around £ 100 million.
Maddison marks the boxes that Arsenal are looking for in the transfer market / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
Arsenal’s most important criteria for new hires are players under the age of 25, with the potential to develop long-term on the pitch and increase its value. Maddison marks these boxes, but the Gunners need to get close to their transfer post to get Leicester to listen to any suggestions.
Sky Sports reports that Leicester will not even consider anything under £ 70 million for Maddison, which would make the 24-year-old one of the most expensive English players in history behind only Harry Maguire – who they sold to Manchester United in 2019 – and Jadon Sancho .
Arsenal’s transfer record is currently at the £ 72 million fee agreed for Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
It is also said that Arsenal are keeping an eye on Martin Odegaard, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates Stadium since returning to parent club Real Madrid.
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