Arsenal will struggle to meet Leicester’s asking price for James Maddison if they make an approach for the England international before the transfer window closes, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.
Reliable sources have suggested that the 24-year-old is a genuine target for the Gunners, but it is not a transfer that looks likely to happen at the moment. Ornstein claims Emile Smile Rowe’s new contract was always the priority above a new no.10 and, unsurprisingly, supporters on Twitter were not happy about this latest update:
what a joke, esr stats btw and we are making him priority lol. pic.twitter.com/XddRtWQkSz
— Unknown Gooner (@RealistArsenal) July 23, 2021
Not having that – ESR was never likely to leave no matter what Villa say.
— gareth piggott (@gareth227) July 23, 2021
Sure but there’s no smoke without fire
— Paul Banfield (@waxon83) July 23, 2021
Sounds like your own personal view and not Fact from the club.
So we wait and see, Orny— Sugamite™✪ (@Sugamite2) July 23, 2021
This makes no sense whatsoever, as much as I love ESR, he had a couple injuries last year, we are on injury away from seeing willian or lacazette as a number 10 again. Esr is still 20, someone like Maddison would be great for him to learn from and they can also rotate to d wings
— pushark (@pusharkafc) July 23, 2021
??
— Eneks Onye Life (@doneneks) July 23, 2021
We need two world class number 10 that’s what city do
— Ali (@Mercs107s) July 23, 2021
So they can pay 50m for Ben White but can't buy Madison?
— dapo saka (@saki___J) July 23, 2021
If they don't sign Madison what are the other options ,Minamino ?what a joke club
— Mindset (@jacob_jimy) July 23, 2021
You ruined my life @David_Ornstein ????
— ©XTOPHER™????????? (@CasualXtopher10) July 23, 2021
It’s a tricky one. Maddison is believed to be open to moving to the Emirates, while Leicester are not thought to be against selling him for the right price this summer. Those are two big factors in Arsenal’s favour.
However, reports suggest that the Foxes would ask for a fee in the region of £60m to £70m, and it’s likely that the Gunners would have to raise funds from the sales of Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette to finance the move for Maddison.