Arsenal are prepared to include both Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson as part of their first offer to sign Leicester midfielder James Maddison, according to reports in England.

Maitland Niles (whose Transfermarkt value is £14.4m) and Nelson (£8.1m) are unlikely to have much of a future at the Emirates and the Gunners are hoping that the Foxes would be interested in taking them if they do table a bid for Maddison.

The England international is believed to be a key target for manager Mikel Arteta, who is keen on signing a playmaker after seeing Martin Odegaard return to Real Madrid after his loan spell ended earlier this summer.

Leicester are, though, likely to play hardball in negotiations for Maddison. They reportedly rejected £70m for the 24-year-old last summer and he has since signed a new contract.

With Chelsea having also been linked with the attacking midfielder, Arsenal know they face an uphill battle if they are to secure the player’s signature.