James Maddison has “openly discussed” leaving Leicester for Arsenal with his “inner circle”, according to reliable Twitter ITK TheAFCBell.

The insider source added some detail to the Gunners’ interest in the attacking midfielder yesterday, revealing that the player is considering a move to the Emirates:

معلومات #جرس_أرسنال: جدّية أرسنال كانت جلية حيث أخطر الجسّاسة معسكر اللاعب أن النادي يراه هدفاً أولياً هذه النافذة. عنفوان النادي لاقى استحسان المعسكر واللاعب على حد سواء، ويتفهّم أن ماديسون ناقش علانية مع دائرته الضيقة فكرة الرحيل عن ليستر والانضمام لأرسنال.

— TheAFCBell ?? (@TheAFCBeII) July 10, 2021

At the moment, the big obstacle will be Maddison’s asking price, which is likely to be above £60m, while there have been claims that Chelsea would also be after the 24-year-old.

A bid is not expected to be made soon with Arsenal currently focused on getting other deals over the line. They have already signed Nuno Tavares from Benfica and they are expected to make Albert Sambi Lokonga’s transfer from Anderlecht official in the coming hours.

The London club are also thought to be locked in negotiations with Brighton over Ben White, while they are also pursuing a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka, with the Swiss international likely to join Roma.